STRENGTH AND LIABILITIES OF ASPIRIN IN THE PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS

Dr. Feba Elizabeth Skariah, Dr. Irine Sara Abraham, Dr. Jerin Joy, Dr. Jitto Tomy*

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death globally, which are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Myocardial infarction and stroke are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Aspirin is one of the oldest and most widely used and tested antiplatelet drug in CVD, and it is proven to be the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy in the treatment and prevention of CVD. The most common side effect of aspirin is gastrointestinal upset ranging from gastritis to gastrointestinal bleeding. The strength of low dose aspirin therapy for the secondary prevention of CVD is clear, but the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of CVD remains challenging due to mixed findings on mortality benefits. Eventually, management decisions in patients requiring antiplatelet therapy for cardiovascular protection will depend on a patient-by-patient assessment of strength and liabilities.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, aspirin, gastro protective agents, acid-suppressive therapy, antiplatelet therapy.