Anesthesia Knowledge Test 1 (AKT-1) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When managing patients with stents prior to surgery, it is crucial to weigh the risks of thrombosis against the risks of bleeding. Aspirin is typically continued in patients with drug-eluting stents, especially within the first year following stenting, since it plays a critical role in preventing stent thrombosis. However, for many surgical procedures, most guidelines suggest temporarily holding aspirin to minimize bleeding risk, typically for a duration based on the type of surgery and patient's overall risk factors.

Choosing to hold aspirin for around 7 days prior to surgery is based on balancing the need to mitigate bleeding during the procedure while still allowing time for some recovery of platelet function as aspirin effects can last for about 7 days. It's important to consider that specific recommendations can vary based on the type of stent (bare-metal vs. drug-eluting), the type of surgery, and the individual risk profile of the patient, therefore close communication with the cardiologist involved is often necessary.

This approach to managing aspirin in the context of stented patients illustrates the delicate balance needed in anesthesia practice to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.