[Aspirin and prevention of cardiovascular risk].

PURPOSE

Aspirin, a potent platelet inhibitor, is widely used in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Platelet aggregation is the cornerstone of acute atherothrombotic complications.

ACTUALITIES

Aspirin showed significant benefits when administered in patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina, and also when used for secondary prevention in patients with known coronary artery disease. Aspirin has been evaluated in primary prevention, with interesting results in high-risk patients. Finally, aspirin can be used in some patients with supraventricular arrhythmias or with mechanical valves.

PERSPECTIVES

Further investigation concerning the exact role of aspirin in primary prevention is currently being done. The association of aspirin with new antiplatelet agents in patients with acute coronary syndromes has shown interesting results.