Introduction: While the clinical merits of aspirin in secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention remain undisputed, its role in primary prevention is controversial. Recently, three trials of primary prevention reported neutral net benefit results or evidence of harm for aspirin in patients with no overt CVD. Areas covered: This article aims to inform clinical practitioners by appraising the current body of evidence on the use of aspirin for primary CVD prevention, ranging from general pharmacology to clinical outcomes and future directions. Expert opinion: Based on meta-analyses incorporating latest trials in the field of primary prevention, the modest reduction in ischemic events with aspirin, if any, is offset by a modest increase in nonfatal bleeding. Improved control of CVD risk factors and broader use of statins may have reduced the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis, thus limiting the opportunity for aspirin to prevent clinical CVD events in the contemporary era. As such, decision-making about aspirin for primary prevention is challenging even when selected patients are considered and involves careful weighing of risks and benefits. Ongoing investigations conducted in patients with cancer could rapidly modify the current perception of the unfavorable benefit-risk ratio of aspirin in patients with no overt CVD.
Keywords: Aspirin; antiplatelet therapy; cardiovascular disease; primary prevention.