Overview of Aspirin and Platelet Biology

Aspirin (ASA) has historically been one of the most important drugs in cardiology and has long been the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy. Although its role in acute coronary syndrome remains undisputed, emerging data suggest that reappraisal of the efficacy of long-term ASA in some primary and secondary prevention may be warranted. The aim of this review is to place these new results in the context of previous evidence on aspirin by appraising the current body of evidence on its use of for cardiovascular diseases. This overview first summarizes the history of the discovery of aspirin, as well as its pharmacology and the concept of ASA resistance. We subsequently recapitulate the evidence of ASA on primary prevention and secondary prevention starting from the classical studies in order to serve as an introductory background to the examination of the most recent clinical trials that will be performed in the rest of the articles of this Supplement. Although the benefit of ASA in acute coronary syndrome remains incontrovertible, emerging evidence challenge the universal need for primary prevention, or for lifelong treatment in secondary prevention or all adults with stable coronary disease who are at highest risk for ASA-induced bleeding. The role of aspirin is quickly changing in recent times and this review provides a review for the clinician about the current role of this drug in cardiovascular care.