Summaries for patients. Benefits and risks of continuing aspirin in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

摘要

Middle-aged and older adults often take aspirin to help prevent heart attacks and stroke. Aspirin, however, can cause potential harm, such as bleeding in the stomach or upper digestive tract (peptic ulcer bleeding). The usual treatment for peptic ulcers is endoscopic therapy to control active bleeding, drug therapy to suppress stomach acid (for example, a proton-pump inhibitor [PPI]), and discontinuation of aspirin therapy until the ulcer heals. Stopping the aspirin therapy could result in increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Whether continuing aspirin therapy while taking a PPI substantially increases risk for recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding is unclear.