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Prevention and treatment of thrombotic complications in essential thrombocythaemia: efficacy and safety of aspirin
Author(s) -
Van Genderen Perry J. J.,
Mulder Paul G. H.,
Waleboer Marco,
Van De Moesdijk Desiree,
Michiels Jan J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1997.d01-2127.x
Subject(s) - aspirin , medicine , thrombocytosis , intensive care medicine , platelet
The efficacy and safety of aspirin in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis in essential thrombocythaemia (ET) was retrospectively analysed in a cohort of 68 ET patients. 41 patients presented with thrombosis, five patients with bleeding; two patients had a paradoxical combination of bleeding and thrombosis at presentation. At presentation, patients with bleeding had significantly higher platelet and leucocyte counts than patients with thrombosis. During long‐term follow‐up the incidence of thrombosis was significantly reduced in patients receiving aspirin, either as monotherapy or in combination with cytoreduction. However, treatment with aspirin (500 mg/d) was associated with an increase in (minor) bleeding complications. In patients receiving aspirin, bleeding occurred particularly at platelet counts exceeding 1000×10 9 /l. The overall 5‐ and 10‐years survival probability was 93% and 84% respectively, indicating that life expectancy in ET is close to normal. Although our data need confirmation in prospective clinical trials, they suggest that aspirin, particularly in lower doses (100 mg/d), may be a safe antithrombotic agent in ET with an acceptable risk for bleeding, if applied to patients with a platelet count <1000×10 9 /l and/or absence of a bleeding history.