For individuals who have blood clots in the veins, a daily dose of aspirin could be an effective treatment for reducing the risk of developing more, a new study suggests.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious medical condition whereby a blood clot forms in the vein - most commonly in the leg. Symptoms of VTE include cramp, redness and swelling. In severe cases, the condition can be fatal.
Typically, patients with VTE will undergo anticoagulant therapy. This involves taking a course of drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots for around six months to a year. However, there are health risks associated with anticoagulant drugs, including bleeding, headaches and dizziness.
Researchers at the University of Sydney say that individuals who don't seek treatment for VTE have a ten per cent risk of developing another blood clot during the first year and a five per cent risk for each year after.
They set out to discover whether an alternative drug, aspirin, could be used to treat VTE.
A total of 1,224 patients with VTE were analysed. They were given 100 mg of aspirin every day for a period of two years.
The scientists discovered that aspirin had lowered the patients' risk of recurrent blood clots by nearly 42 per cent. However, it was noted that aspirin is not as effective as anticoagulant therapy and should only be offered as a treatment to patients who are unable to take anticoagulant drugs.
Speaking about the findings, Dr John Simes, director of the National Health and Medical Research Council Trials Centre, said: 'Although less effective, aspirin is inexpensive, easily obtainable, safe and familiar to patients and clinicians worldwide.
'If cost is the main consideration, aspirin is a particularly useful therapy. The costs of treating future thromboembolic events is greater than the cost of the preventive treatment.'
The study has been published in the journal, Circulation. View the abstract here