The patient with coronary stents and antiplatelet agents: what to do and how to deal?

The management of patients with recent coronary artery stents presenting for noncardiac surgery has become a major topic of interest and concern for all perioperative care givers. The present review will update recent reports and particularly new guidelines as well as recommendations. Based on the available literature, all experts recommend avoiding premature discontinuation of antiplatelet drug therapy if possible except for a few surgical procedures. Drug-eluting stents obviously carry more risks than bare-metal stents.