Korean Study Shows Stopping Aspirin Is Safe for Non-Cardiac Surgery in Patients With Coronary Stents

Healthcare | 2025-10-20 16:05:17
[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] A Korean study has found that patients taking aspirin after a coronary artery stent procedure do not face an increased risk of major cardiovascular complications if they discontinue the medication before undergoing surgery on a non-cardiac site.

The research team, led by Professor Jung-Min Ahn at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, randomly assigned 1,010 patients who had undergone coronary artery stent insertion at least one year earlier. The participants, drawn from 30 hospitals nationwide between 2017 and 2024, were divided into groups that either continued or discontinued aspirin. The incidence of major complications within 30 days after surgery was 0.6% in the continuation group and 0.9% in the discontinuation group, with no statistically significant difference.

Patients with ischemic heart disease typically receive dual antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors, to prevent vascular restenosis. However, about 20% require non-cardiac procedures—such as abdominal, orthopedic, endoscopic, or dental surgeries—within two years of stent placement, creating challenges in deciding whether to stop or maintain aspirin preoperatively. Discontinuation raises the risk of thrombosis, while continuation heightens concerns about bleeding.

A study has found that discontinuing aspirin before non-cardiac surgery does not significantly alter the risk of major complications for patients with coronary stents. (Photo provided by ClipArtKorea)
A study has found that discontinuing aspirin before non-cardiac surgery does not significantly alter the risk of major complications for patients with coronary stents. (Photo provided by ClipArtKorea)


Both domestic and international clinical guidelines recommend maintaining aspirin unless the bleeding risk is substantial, but in practice, discontinuation is common, leading to confusion. This study provides evidence that both approaches are clinically safe, allowing decisions tailored to the patient's condition and circumstances. That said, minor bleeding tended to occur more frequently in the group that continued aspirin.

The researchers stressed the importance of shared decision-making in such scenarios, where clinicians and patients collaboratively weigh evidence and preferences to determine the treatment plan.

The study was supported by the Patient-Centered Medical Technology Optimization Research Project (PACEN), overseen by South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.

Lim Hye Jung / press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

K-Culture&Travel

image
Wellness
Korean Herbal Tea Culture: A Wellness Tradition for Body and Mind
In Korea, traditional herbal teas, known as hanbangcha, are crafted from natural medicinal ingredients like jujube, ginger, licorice, schisandra, and ginseng. These teas are prepared by meticulously cleaning the ingredients and simmering them over low heat for hours to extract their therapeutic properties and aromas, according to cultural sources like ClipArt Korea. Rooted in Korean traditional medicine, or hanuihak, this practice emphasizes harmony between the body and nature, offering a holistic approach to wellness that resonates with modern health-conscious audiences.Constitutional Medicin
image
Wellness
Five Olive Young Masks to Rescue Your Skin From Korea’s Dry Autumn
As autumn settles over South Korea, the air turns crisp and dry, pulling moisture from the skin and leaving it tight, flushed, or flaky. Left unchecked, these small irritations can snowball into bigger troubles. For travelers touching down in Seoul—or anyone curious about the country’s beauty rituals—Olive Young, the ubiquitous K-beauty drugstore, stocks a lineup of sheet masks and pads that address exactly these seasonal gripes. Below are five standouts, each tuned to a different concern: calming redness, locking in hydration, or fading post-blemish marks. Prices reflect current Olive Youn
image
K-Culture & Travel
How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks
South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air
image
K-Culture & Travel
APEC 2025 in Gyeongju: Where Ancient Korea Meets the Global Future
This fall, the millennium-old city of Gyeongju will command the world’s attention. From late October into early November, the HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center) will host the APEC summit, drawing leaders from 21 economies and some 20,000 delegates. For South Korea, it marks the first time in 20 years—since Busan in 2005—that the country plays host to this gathering of Pacific Rim powers.Why Gyeongju, and why now?Gyeongju is far more than a conference backdrop. For a thousand years the capital of the Silla kingdom, it cradles Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, the Daereungwon tom

Headlines

Doctors & Hospitals