Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Reduction in preterm birth justifies continued use of aspirin prophylaxis in women with chronic hypertension


 

Key clinical point: Use of low-dose aspirin significantly reduced preterm birth rates but had no significant effect on the risk for preeclampsia in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Major finding: In women with chronic hypertension, the use of low-dose aspirin vs placebo during pregnancy was associated with a significant reduction in preterm birth rates (22.2% vs 31.1%; odds ratio, 0.63; 95% CI 0.45-0.89) but a nonsignificant reduction in the risk for superimposed or preterm preeclampsia.

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies (retrospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials) including 2150 women with chronic hypertension who received low-dose aspirin or placebo during pregnancy.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. V Giorgione’s PhD was supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant unrelated to this study. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Richards EMF et al. Low-dose aspirin for the prevention of superimposed pre-eclampsia in women with chronic hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 (Oct 6). Doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.09.046

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