Preoperative Aspirin can Reduce Postoperative Complications following Cardiac Surgery

According to a new study published in the latest edition of the journal Annals of Surgery, aspirin can reduce many postoperative complications of cardiac surgery. These complications include a longer stay in the intensive care unit, renal failure or even death within a month of the surgery. These complications are fairly common and doctors have been trying to find ways to reduce them. Therefore, the role of aspirin in patients undergoing cardiac surgery becomes very important.

The researchers, led by Dr. Jianzhong Sun from the Thomas Jefferson University, along with his colleagues from UC Davis Medical Center, undertook the study to find the impact of aspirin on patients undergoing cardiac surgery. They evaluated 2,868 patients who had undergone a coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery at either of the two hospitals in between 2001 and 2009. Among the patients, 1923 patients took aspirin at least once in the five days preceding the surgery while 945 patients did not take aspirin. The researchers found that patients who had taken aspirin were less likely to develop complications like renal failure, prolonged ICU stay, or increased mortality within 30 days.

According to researchers, the present study further strengthens the idea that aspirin is important for heart health. The results may lead to redefining of the guidelines for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Critics of aspirin have pointed out that aspirin increases the potential of bleeding and should therefore be avoided before cardiac surgery. However, the benefits offered by preoperative aspirin far outweigh its side effects. Moreover, concurrent administration of antifibrinolytic agents may prevent the bleeding.

The researchers of the study are very excited in view of these results. According to them, this may be the breakthrough on which they had been working for past so many years. Preoperative aspirin may help in reducing the mortality as well as morbidity associated with cardiac surgeries. However, further research is needed to examine its side effects, before all patients undergoing cardiac surgery are recommended aspirin in the preoperative period.

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