[Aspirin during pregnancy. Indications and modalities of prescription after the publication of the later trials].

Aspirin, an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, is prescribed in a number of conditions related to abnormal production of prostaglandins including gravidic hypertension. Results of the most recent trials demonstrate that in patients with a past history of pre-eclampsia or intra-uterine growth retardation, a pathological Doppler examination of the uterus, a pathological angiotensin test or an antiphospholipid syndrome, prescription of aspirin at the dose of 100 mg/day can prevent recurrence or development of pre-eclampsia or intra-uterine growth retardation. Treatment should begin as soon as possible during pregnancy, certainly before development of clinical manifestations. After history taking and identification of possible contraindications, bleeding time (Ivy method) is recorded before and after prescription and should be lower than 8 minutes. In case bleeding time exceeds 10 minutes 10 to 15 days after initiating aspirin, doses may be reduced to 50 mg per day or even 50 mg every two or three days to reach the target level. Treatment should generally be continued up to 36 weeks gestation.