Association of Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention With Cardiovascular Events and Bleeding Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Journal of the American Medical Association

Review of 13 RCTs (n=164,225) found that aspirin use reduced a composite of CV mortality, non-fatal MI/stroke vs no aspirin (57.1 vs 61.4 /10,000 patient-years, HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84-0.95, NNT 265), however aspirin had an increased risk of major bleeding (1.43, 1.30-1.56, NNH 210).

Stroke Outcomes in the Cardiovascular OutcoMes for People using Anticoagulation StrategieS (COMPASS) Trial

Circulation

RCT (n=27,395) found a reduced risk of strokes with rivaroxaban 2.5mg twice daily plus aspirin 100mg daily vs aspirin alone (0.9% per year vs 1.6% per year, HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.76). The effect of the combination compared with aspirin was consistent across subgroups.

The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:

http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services