Aspirin therapy for cardiovascular disease

Aspirin is a widely used and effective antithrombotic agent. Recent studies suggest that aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects are mediated via inhibition of an inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase in inflammatory cells (COX-2) and through blockade of the nuclear transcription factor, NF-kappa B. The optimal dose of aspirin for most clinical situations is 75 to 325 mg/d, but debate continues as to whether higher doses are needed to prevent cerebral ischemia. Aspirin is very effective for inhibition of platelet-mediated thrombosis at sites of vascular injury but does not reduce restenosis after coronary angioplasty or carotid endarterectomy, nor does it prevent a first stroke. Combined therapy with warfarin and aspirin has been shown to limit systemic embolic in high-risk patients with artificial heart valves, but at the cost of increased bleeding. A new aspirin derivative is currently being developed that appears to stimulate platelet nitric oxide release, inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, and lower gastric toxicity.