Aspirin Use Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Aspirin use before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been a puzzling question for years. Controversy existed regarding the overall benefits vs. risk of pre-operative aspirin use and was translated to conflicting guidelines from major societies.

RECENT FINDINGS: Observational studies have suggested a reduced mortality with pre-operative aspirin use. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed increased risk of post-operative bleeding with aspirin, with no associated increased mortality risk. A recent large randomized controlled trial did not find a significant difference in bleeding risk or post-operative mortality with pre-CABG aspirin use. The results of available studies showed a beneficial effect with pre-CABG aspirin use by decreasing thrombotic complications and perioperative myocardial infarction, with an associated adverse risk of bleeding that did not affect mortality rates. Given overall benefit-risk assessment, we are in favor of pre-operative aspirin use in CABG patients.