Risks of noncardiac surgery after coronary stenting

An increased risk of major complications for noncardiac surgery after coronary stenting has been suggested. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of coronary stents from 1999 to 2003 with subsequent surgery to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, major bleeding, and death. Among the 56 patients identified, 8 developed MACEs; 38% underwent surgery < or =14 days after stenting, and 62% underwent surgery 15 to 42 days after stenting. No patient developed MACEs if surgery occurred >42 days after stenting. Among patients who developed MACEs, 77% of surgeries were elective, 19% were urgent, and only 4% were emergency. Noncardiac surgery 6 weeks after coronary stenting is associated with a high risk of MACEs.