What is the primary action of aspirin in ACS?

What is the primary action of aspirin in ACS?

• A. Lowers cholesterol levels.
• B. Inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, reducing mortality.
• C. Dilates coronary arteries.
• D. Relieves pain only.

Answer: (B)

In ACS, the key benefit of aspirin is its antiplatelet effect. It inhibits platelets from sticking together and forming clots on a ruptured plaque, which helps prevent a growing thrombus that can block blood flow to the heart. Mechanistically, aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 in platelets, reducing thromboxane A2 production, a potent promoter of aggregation. Because platelets cannot make new proteins, this effect lasts for the life of the platelet (about 7–10 days). By limiting thrombus formation, aspirin lowers mortality in ACS when given early. It isn’t a cholesterol-lowering drug, it doesn’t directly dilate coronary arteries, and its primary benefit here isn’t just pain relief.

In ACS, the key benefit of aspirin is its antiplatelet effect. It inhibits platelets from sticking together and forming clots on a ruptured plaque, which helps prevent a growing thrombus that can block blood flow to the heart. Mechanistically, aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 in platelets, reducing thromboxane A2 production, a potent promoter of aggregation. Because platelets cannot make new proteins, this effect lasts for the life of the platelet (about 7–10 days). By limiting thrombus formation, aspirin lowers mortality in ACS when given early. It isn’t a cholesterol-lowering drug, it doesn’t directly dilate coronary arteries, and its primary benefit here isn’t just pain relief.