A discussion last week included the AHA Guidelines for post-cardiac stent operations.

Reference: Fleisher LA, et al. 2014 ACC/AHA Guideline on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Management of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2014 Dec 9;130(24):2215-45. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000105.

Summary: Below are ACC/AHA recommendations on perioperative risk assessment, section 5.2 of the guidelines linked above.

5.2. Timing of Elective Noncardiac Surgery in Patients With Previous PCI

Class I

1. Elective noncardiac surgery should be delayed 14 days after balloon angioplasty (Level of Evidence: C) and 30 days after BMS implantation. (Level of Evidence B)

2. Elective noncardiac surgery should optimally be delayed 365 days after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.(Level of Evidence: B)

Class IIa

1. In patients in whom noncardiac surgery is required, a consensus decision among treating clinicians as to the relative risks of surgery and discontinuation or continuation of antiplatelet therapy can be useful. (Level of Evidence: C)

Class IIb

1. Elective noncardiac surgery after DES implantation may be considered after 180 days if the risk of further delay is greater than the expected risks of ischemia and stent thrombosis. (Level of Evidence: B)

Class III: Harm

1. Elective noncardiac surgery should not be performed within 30 days after BMS implantation or within 12 months after DES implantation in patients in whom dual antiplatelet therapy will need to be discontinued perioperatively. (Level of Evidence: B)

2. Elective noncardiac surgery should not be performed within 14 days of balloon angioplasty in patients in whom aspirin will need to be discontinued perioperatively. (Level of Evidence: C)