title: Safety of ultrasound-guided transrectal extended prostate biopsy in patients receiving low-dose aspirin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the peri-procedural administration of low-dose aspirin increases the risk of bleeding complications for patients undergoing extended prostate biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  From February 2007 to September 2008, 530 men undergoing extended needle biopsies were divided in two groups; those receiving aspirin and those not receiving aspirin. The morbidity of the procedure, with emphasis on hemorrhagic complications, was assessed prospectively using two standardized questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the mean number of biopsy cores (12.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 13.1 +/- 1.2 cores, p = 0.09). No major biopsy-related complications were noted. Statistical analysis did not demonstrate significant differences in the rate of hematuria (64.5% vs. 60.6%, p = 0.46), rectal bleeding (33.6% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.09) or hemospermia (90.1% vs. 86.9%, p = 0.45). The mean duration of hematuria and rectal bleeding was significantly greater in the aspirin group compared to the control group (4.45 +/- 2.7 vs. 2.4 +/- 2.6, p = < 0.001 and 3.3 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.7, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only younger patients (mean age 60.1 +/- 5.8 years) with a lower body mass index (< 25 kg/m2) receiving aspirin were at a higher risk (odds ratio = 3.46, p = 0.047) for developing hematuria and rectal bleeding after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The continuing use of low-dose aspirin in patients undergoing extended prostatic biopsy is a relatively safe option since it does not increase the morbidity of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Asklipieion General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kariotis
authors.forename: Prodromos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Philippou
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volanis
authors.forename: Efraim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serafetinides
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delakas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D051516:Hemospermia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D036761:Ultrasound, High-Intensity Focused, Transrectal / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin