Low-dose aspirin is effective in preventing preeclampsia in high-risk patients, reducing the overall risk by 10% (RR 0.90) and preterm preeclampsia by 62% (OR 0.38) when started in the first trimester.
Does low-dose aspirin prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women?
Low-dose aspirin is effective for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women, though optimal screening, target population, and dosage remain debated.
Aspirin is currently the most widely prescribed treatment in the prevention of cardiovascular complications. The indications for the use of aspirin during pregnancy are, however, the subject of much controversy. Since the first evidence of the obstetric efficacy of aspirin in 1985, numerous studies have tried to determine the effect of low-dose aspirin on the incidence of preeclampsia, with very controversial results. Large meta-analyses including individual patient data have demonstrated that aspirin is effective in preventing preeclampsia in high-risk patients, mainly those with a history of preeclampsia. However, guidelines regarding the usage of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia differ considerably from one country to another. Screening modalities, target population, and aspirin dosage are still a matter of debate. In this review, we report the pharmacodynamics of aspirin, its main effects according to dosage and gestational age, and the evidence-based indications for primary and secondary prevention of preeclampsia.
Atallah et al. (Sun,) conducted a review in Preeclampsia. Aspirin vs. Placebo or no treatment was evaluated. Low-dose aspirin is effective in preventing preeclampsia in high-risk patients, reducing the overall risk by 10% (RR 0.90) and preterm preeclampsia by 62% (OR 0.38) when started in the first trimester.