title: Role of ASA in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease, is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Evidence from basic research, clinical investigations, observational epidemiologic studies and randomized clinical trials has provided strong support for the benefits of aspirin in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular events in a wide range of pathologies in secondary prevention. Data in primary prevention have far more uncertainties. An overview for the evidence supporting the efficacy of aspirin in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is discussed, including the relative and absolute benefit and the risks of side effects. Finally, future developments in the field directed towards individualized treatment strategies and novel antiplatelet agents are examined.
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, Cardiovascular Center, Free University of Brussels (UZ Brussel) VUB, Brussels, Belgium. rbcasado@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casado-Arroyo
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bayrak
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarkozy
authors.forename: Gian-Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Chierchia
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Asmundis
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brugada
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin