Aspirin for preventing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism: Editorial comment

摘要

Patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism are at long-term risk for recurrence after discontination of oral anticoagulant treatment. Two years after treatment is withdrawn, the risk of recurrrence is about 20%. Although extending anticoagulant therapy reduces the recurrence risk, it is associated with increased bleeding. Aspirin therapy is effective in the primary prevention of venous thromboembolism, with risk reduction ranging from 20% to 50%. The possible benefit of aspirin for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism is unknown.