RecruitingPhase IVInterventional

Aspirin after hospitalisation with pneumonia to prevent heart attacks and stroke

Pneumonia is a severe chest infection that affects the lungs. For roughly 5 in every 100 people admitted to hospital with pneumonia, the illness triggers blood vessel inflammation and blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke within three months. Aspirin is an everyday, well-known medicine that helps stop blood clots from forming. The ASPECT study aims to find out if a daily low-dose aspirin tablet taken for three months reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people aged 50 and over after a hospital stay for pneumonia. Participants are split into two groups: one group takes low-dose aspirin daily for three months, while the other group does not. Both groups receive all their usual NHS treatments. Researchers check routine hospital records at three months to compare how each group fared, and some participants will complete a brief questionnaire.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase IV

Sponsor

North Bristol NHS Trust

Enrolment target

6,372

Start

03 Nov 2022

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Pneumonia - lung infection

What is this study about?

Pneumonia is a common lung infection that causes inflammation in your airways and makes breathing difficult. Although most people recover well with standard care, a severe infection can put extra stress on the entire body. It can inflame blood vessels and make blood cells clump together into small clots. Because of this, people who have been in hospital with pneumonia face a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke over the following three months.

Aspirin has been used safely for decades to thin the blood and lower the chance of clots forming in people at risk of heart problems. Early research suggests that giving aspirin to pneumonia patients may offer meaningful protection. However, doctors need clear, high-quality evidence from a large study to know for certain whether this treatment should be recommended routinely.

The ASPECT trial is a major UK study run through NHS hospitals and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It compares hospitalised pneumonia patients who take a daily low-dose aspirin tablet for three months against those who receive their normal care without aspirin. By taking part, patients help researchers learn whether an inexpensive, familiar medicine can prevent life-threatening complications and save lives in the future.

Key takeaways

The ASPECT study tests if low-dose aspirin prevents heart attacks and strokes after pneumonia.
Open to people aged 50 and over admitted to hospital with confirmed pneumonia.
Participants either take one low-dose aspirin pill daily for three months or receive standard care without aspirin.
No extra hospital visits are required; follow-up is done through your standard NHS records.
Taking part is completely voluntary and will not affect the quality of your regular NHS care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 50 and older who have been admitted to an NHS hospital with a chest infection and have scans (such as a chest X-ray or CT scan) confirming pneumonia.

You cannot take part if you already take regular prescribed blood-thinning or antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or ticagrelor), or if you have had an allergic reaction to aspirin in the past. People with an unusually high risk of serious bleeding, those needing major urgent surgery, and those whose chest infection is primarily caused by active COVID-19 or was caught while already staying in hospital for another condition are also excluded.

Pregnant women and anyone with a pre-existing illness that severely limits life expectancy to less than three months cannot join. Your hospital doctors will review your medical history and current medications to confirm whether the trial is safe and suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you aged 50 or older?
Have you been admitted to hospital with pneumonia confirmed by a scan or X-ray?
Are you free from known allergies or bad reactions to aspirin?
Are you not currently taking regular blood-thinning or antiplatelet tablets (like aspirin or clopidogrel)?
Are you not currently pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part is designed to be simple and will not interfere with your regular NHS care. If you choose to join, a computer will place you at random into one of two groups. One group will take a low-dose aspirin tablet once a day for three months. The other group will not take aspirin. Neither you nor your doctor chooses the group, ensuring the study results are fair.

You do not need to attend extra clinic appointments or travel to the hospital for study checks. Instead, researchers will look at your standard NHS health records three months after you join to see how you have recovered. The first 2,000 people who join the study will also be asked to fill in a short questionnaire at three months to ask about any side effects and whether the tablets were easy to take. In total, your participation lasts for three months.

Potential risks and benefits

If you are placed in the aspirin group, you may receive protection against heart attacks or strokes during your recovery, though this benefit is not guaranteed. The main potential risk of aspirin is mild side effects, such as indigestion, stomach irritation, or slightly easier bruising and minor bleeding (like nosebleeds). Because the trial uses a very low dose, serious bleeding is rare, and your hospital doctor can prescribe stomach-protecting medicine if you are prone to tummy irritation. Taking part is completely voluntary, and you can change your mind and leave the study at any time without your medical care being affected.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Bristol NHS Trust
Unverified
Bristol NO COUNTRY SPECIFIED, assuming England, England

Common questions

Do I have to pay for the aspirin?

No. All study medication is provided free of charge.

Will taking part mean extra hospital appointments?

No. Researchers check your progress three months later by looking at your routine NHS medical records, so no extra visits are needed.

Can I choose whether I get aspirin or not?

No. A computer randomly decides which group you are in to ensure the test is completely fair.

Will aspirin replace my normal pneumonia medication?

No. You will continue to receive all your standard NHS treatments, including antibiotics, oxygen, and other prescribed medicines.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes. You can stop taking part at any time without giving an explanation, and your normal medical care will not change.

How to find out more

Olujide Okunade

aspect-trial@bristol.ac.uk +44 117 4558441 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.