TCTMD: Aspirin Use Tied to Slower AAA Progression

TCTMD recently interviewed Ali Azizzadeh, MD, professor of Surgery, director of Vascular Surgery and associate director of Vascular Therapeutics at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, about findings from a recent study that showed aspirin may help slow the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The aorta is an artery that carries blood from the heart to the abdomen, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or bulging, of the lower part of the artery can be deadly if it grows large enough to rupture.

An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin, can help lower that risk: Study investigators found that aspirin may be help prevent a small aneurysm from progressing as well as protect against blood clots, which can cause heart attack and stroke.

Azizzadeh, who was not involved in the study, told TCTMD the findings were not entirely surprising.

“This corroborates previous findings in smaller studies that perhaps platelets do play a role in aneurysm growth,” Azizzadeh said.

He told TCTMD it was more surprising that study patients with atherosclerosis—a hardening of the arteries caused by plaque buildup that can lead to blockages and blood clots—were not already taking low-dose aspirin, as recommended by clinical practice guidelines.

“I think patients who have atherosclerotic disease should be on aspirin,” Azizzadeh said.

He told TCTMD that the findings emphasize that aspirin can be beneficial for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“It adds to the body of literature that supports the use of aspirin for patients with vascular disease,” he said.

Click here to read the complete article from TCTMD.