Efficacy and safety of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid for the prevention of thromboembolic events in individuals positive for antiphospholipid antibodies: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Federica De Pascali a), Yulia Aleksandrovna Filippova b), Marco P. Donadini c), f), Vittorio Pengo d), g), Alessandro Squizzato e)
a) Internal Medicine Unit, Sant’Anna Hospital, ASST Lariana, Como, Italy
b) School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese-Como, Italy
c) Research Center on Thromboembolic Disorders and Antithrombotic Therapies, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
d) Thrombosis Research Laboratory, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
e) Research Center on Thromboembolic Disorders and Antithrombotic Therapies, ASST Lariana, University of Insubria, Como, Italy
f) Thrombosis and Haemostasis Center, Department of Emergency and Urgence Care, ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
g) Arianna Foundation on Anticoagulation, Bologna, Italy
Abstract
Introduction
Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies (aPL) are autoantibodies predisposing to an increased risk of thrombotic events. The net clinical benefit of antithrombotic prophylaxis in aPL carriers is still unclear. We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet drugs for the primary prevention of thrombotic events in aPL carriers.
Methods
Studies were identified by electronic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE database until May 2023. The differences in the outcomes among groups were estimated as pooled odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI). Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic.
Results
1056 participants were included in 10 studies, 2 RCTs and 8 cohorts. Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (LDA) was the antiplatelet drug in treated patients. Thrombotic events were significantly reduced in the LDA group compared to the control group [OR 0.46 (95 % CI 0.30–0.71), I2 27%, fixed-effects model]. Arterial thrombotic events were significantly reduced in the LDA group compared to the control group [OR 0.47 (95 % CI 0.26–0.86), I2 0%, fixed-effects model]. Venous thrombotic events were significantly reduced in the LDA group compared to the control group [OR 0.44 (95 % CI 0.21–0.89, I2 1%, fixed-effects model]. No major bleedings occurred in the five studies reporting them.
Conclusions
aPL carriers receiving long-term LDA had a significant reduction of thrombotic events, without a significant increase of the risk of major bleeding. It remains unclear if LDA has the same benefit/risk profile in all aPL profile, i.e. single, double, or triple positivity.