Analysis of Prior Aspirin Treatment on in-Hospital Outcome of Geriatric COVID-19 Infected Patients

Khaoula Zekri-Nechar1, José Barberán2, José J Zamorano-León3

  • 1Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Insights

Prior aspirin (ASA) use in elderly COVID-19 patients increased in-hospital mortality. While not raising pulmonary embolism risk, ASA did not prevent it. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) reduced ICU needs but also increased mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Aspirin (ASA) is a widely used antithrombotic agent with established benefits in preventing venous thromboembolism.
  • COVID-19 poses significant risks, particularly to the geriatric population, including thrombotic events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hospital outcomes of geriatric COVID-19 patients with prior low-dose aspirin (ASA) therapy compared to those without.
  • To assess the impact of ASA on pulmonary embolism (PE) and in-hospital mortality in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study using anonymized data from Madrid Hospitals Group (March-April 2020).
  • Comparison of geriatric COVID-19 patients with and without prior 100 mg/day ASA treatment.
  • Analysis of clinical outcomes including PE, ICU admission, and all-cause mortality.

Main Results:

  • ASA-treated patients were older and had more comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia) and higher admission D-dimer levels.
  • No increased frequency of pulmonary embolism (PE) was observed in ASA-treated patients.
  • In-hospital all-cause mortality within 30 days was higher in geriatric COVID-19 patients with prior ASA treatment.
  • Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in ASA-treated patients reduced ICU care but tended to increase 30-day mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Prior low-dose ASA treatment in geriatric COVID-19 patients was associated with increased in-hospital mortality.
  • ASA did not appear to increase PE risk, despite higher D-dimer levels, but also did not prevent it.
  • Addition of LMWH in ASA-treated patients reduced ICU admission but showed a trend towards increased mortality.

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