Aspirin and Thromboembolism — A Possible Dilemma

A report by Harris and his associates in this issue of the Journal is of great interest and potential importance (p. 1246). Patients who underwent total hip replacement — a group at high risk for postoperative thromboembolism — were shown to benefit from prophylactic therapy with aspirin. Each subject was over the age of 40, had no prior history of thromboembolic disease or venous operations and received 600 mg of aspirin twice daily. Whereas a thromboembolic complication developed in 45 per cent of patients on placebo, only 25 per cent of those receiving aspirin acquired a deep vein thrombus as . . .