Low-Dose Aspirin in Polycythemia Vera

To the Editor: The European Collaboration on Low-Dose Aspirin in Polycythemia Vera (ECLAP) trial, as reported by Landolfi et al. (Jan. 8 issue), 1 does not entirely clarify the role of aspirin in the treatment of polycythemia vera. There were more smokers in the placebo group than in the aspirin group. The treatment of polycythemia vera has clearly been suboptimal in most patients. In the study by Landolfi et al., the hematocrit was higher than 48 percent in 25 percent of the patients, and 25 percent had platelet counts that were higher than 460,000 per cubic millimeter. To the Editor: Landolfi . . .