Aspirin use is associated with a statistically non- significant decrease in the risk of a group of combined cardiovascular events among patients with peripheral artery disease. This is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of one of these events. The findings may be limited by the lack of a large study population. This is according to an article published in the May 13 issue of JAMA.
Aspirin is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular events. This is for patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. However, its effect in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been uncertain. Some current guidelines recommend aspirin use for patients with PAD. PAD is a partial or total blockage of an artery, usually one leading to a leg or arm, with symptoms including fatigue, cramping and pain from walking; and when the arm is in motion, discomfort, heaviness, tiredness and cramping.
Jeffrey S. Berger, M.D., M.S., of the University of Pennsylvania studied the effect of aspirin on cardiovascular event rates in patients with PAD.
“Results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that for patients with PAD, aspirin therapy alone or in combination with dipyridamole did not significantly decrease the primary end point of cardiovascular events, results that may reflect limited statistical power,” the authors write. “The major limitations of this meta-analysis reflect the limitations of published literature on aspirin for treating PAD. Many of these trials were small and of short duration, resulting in few major cardiovascular events.”
“However the current evidence was insufficient to rule out small yet important benefits of aspirin (as suggested by the point estimate of a 12 percent risk reduction),” they add. “Larger prospective studies of aspirin and other antiplatelet agents are warranted among patients with PAD in order to draw firm conclusions about clinical benefit and risks.” One can always find more information from the source of this article.