Low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA])-only use can decrease the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 linked thromboembolism. However, the decline may be minor when compared to enoxaparin-only (an anticoagulant) and concomitant use of aspirin and enoxaparin. Simultaneous usage of aspirin and enoxaparin demonstrates promising results in terms of decline in mechanical ventilation requirements, says a retrospective cohort observational study published in Clinical Drug Investigation.

Investigators undertook this analysis for determining the efficacy of aspirin compared with enoxaparin to prevent thrombosis and reduce mechanical ventilation requirements in 225 people with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.  For evaluating the effect of aspirin vs. enoxaparin on thromboembolism and mechanical ventilation needs, binary logistic regression analysis was utilized. Thrombotic events occurrence was the major endpoint ascertained.

In coronavirus-infected people, thromboembolic events were less likely to occur in people on low-dose aspirin alone (81-162 mg orally daily). However, both aspirin and enoxaparin, and enoxaparin alone were highly efficacious in minimizing thromboembolic events (0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously [SC] daily as prophylactic dosage or 1 mg/kg SC every twelve hours as therapeutic dosage) (OR 0.010, OR 0.071, respectively).

Using aspirin alone and enoxaparin alone was not linked with a decline in the requirements of mechanical ventilation. Concomitant usage of low-dose aspirin and enoxaparin was linked with decreased mechanical ventilation (OR 0.032).