Stop the Aspirin in CAD? Shorter Antibiotics for Bacteremia? (with Dr. Andres Ospina)

In this episode of Inpatient Update, Dr. Mason Turner is joined by Dr. Andres Ospina, fellow hospitalist, to discuss two recent trials with immediate impact on hospital practice:Aspirin plus anticoagulation in chronic coronary disease (AQUATIC Trial) — does keeping aspirin help or harm when long-term anticoagulation is started?Seven vs fourteen days of antibiotics for bloodstream infection (BALANCE Trial) — can we safely cut bacteremia treatment in half?Practical take-homes, clear links to the evidence, and what to change on rounds tomorrow.Articles & PubMed LinksAspirin in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Receiving Oral Anticoagulation (AQUATIC Trial)New England Journal of Medicine (October 2025)Key Findings:Higher morbidity and mortality with dual therapy (HR 1.53)Bottom Line: In stable CAD >6 months from revascularization, if anticoagulation is started, stop the aspirin.Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40888725/Antibiotic Treatment for Bloodstream Infection (BALANCE Trial)New England Journal of Medicine (November 2024)Multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority trial (n≈3,600)Bottom Line: In uncomplicated bacteremia with source control and no severe immunocompromise, 7 days is non-inferior to 14.Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39565030/Practice-Changing TakeawaysStable CAD + new anticoagulation? Stop aspirin if >6 months from PCI/CABG.Uncomplicated bacteremia? Seven days of antibiotics is sufficient in most cases (excluding Staph aureus and deep-seated infection).Support the showWant the cited articles and key takeaways? Join the email list:https://subscribe.inpatientupdate.com/