Some Patients Need More Than Aspirin
Urinary concentrations of a thromboxane metabolite can be used to identify cardiovascular and diabetic patients who may be resistant to the antiplatelet action of aspirin, according to a study published in the April 9 issue of the journal Circulation. "This [discovery] should lead to studies to try and overcome aspirin resistance," John W. Eikelboom told Pharmacy Today. Eikelboom, lead author of the study and a senior clinical lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Western Australia and a hematologist at Royal Perth Hospital, added that pharmacists should first and foremost let patients know that aspirin still works effectively in nearly everyone and to encourage patients to keep taking it. "Aspirin remains a highly valuable and effective treatment in high risk patients and should therefore remain the foundation antiplatelet therapy on which we try to build."
Urinary concentrations of a thromboxane metabolite can be used to identify cardiovascular and diabetic patients who may be resistant to the antiplatelet action of aspirin, according to a study published in the April 9 issue of the journal Circulation. "This [discovery] should lead to studies to try and overcome aspirin resistance," John W. Eikelboom told Pharmacy Today. Eikelboom, lead author of the study and a senior clinical lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Western Australia and a hematologist at Royal Perth Hospital, added that pharmacists should first and foremost let patients know that aspirin still works effectively in nearly everyone and to encourage patients to keep taking it. "Aspirin remains a highly valuable and effective treatment in high risk patients and should therefore remain the foundation antiplatelet therapy on which we try to build."
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