Pneumonia

About

Pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both lungs, usually caused by infection. Around 1 in 20 patients (5%) who are admitted to hospital with pneumonia have a heart attack or stroke within three months.

Aspirin has been used for decades to reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in other patient groups. Although aspirin has limited side effects in the vast majority of people, it carries a very small risk of significant bleeding, therefore it is not clear whether or not giving aspirin to everyone with pneumonia will be beneficial overall.

The ASPECT trial aims to test whether aspirin reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke in patients who are admitted to hospital with pneumonia. This study needs to recruit 22,600 patients over 4-years to answer this question.

Adults aged 50 years and over admitted to hospital with pneumonia will be invited to take part. Those who agree will be split into two groups. One group will be asked to take a course of low dose aspirin each day for 3 months. The other group will not.

Taking Part

You will be given either aspirin daily or no aspirin, which is chosen at random. No further hospital visits are required and you continue your aspirin at home.

How do I take part

Patients admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital with pnumonia may be approached to take part. Ask your doctor whilst you're an in patient.