Aspirin and ACE inhibitors
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Aspirin therapy for heart attack survivors does not negatively influence angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) treatment, according to an overview study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Contrary to widespread concerns, "the present results support the early use of ACEi in acute [myocardial infarction], irrespective of whether or not [aspirin] is given," Roberto Latini, MD, Instituto di Richerche Farmacologiche, Milan, Italy, et al., conclude. Data relating to the use or non-use of aspirin were reviewed for nearly 97,000 patients; evidence of negative interactions did not surface, the report says. In an accompanying editorial, Donald Hall, MD, Technical University of Munich, Germany, says the study contradicts previous research and the results are undermined by the fact that the non-aspirin group was smaller and comprised older, sicker patients