'Many patients on anticoagulation are taking aspirin without a clear indication, which is putting them at an increased risk of bleeding without offering them any benefits.'
The aspirin deprescribing intervention took place in 2017–2018. Data on bleeding and ischemic events were compared before and after the intervention.
In the primary analysis, the intervention was associated with a significant decrease in major bleeding events per month from 0.31% preintervention to 0.21% postintervention. "These findings highlight the need for greater aspirin stewardship among patients receiving warfarin for anticoagulation," the researchers conclude."Our successful intervention across multiple health systems, with different patient populations and clinical structures, could serve as a national model for reducing excess aspirin use," they add.
"Guidelines are already recommending that if a patient has not had a recent acute event and are on anticoagulation, they probably should not be on aspirin as well. But this is guidance and not based on results from randomized trials. Our study provides real-world data in support of this recommendation," Barnes commented.