Recommendation
  1. We recommend the initiation of long-term ASA in patients who suffer a myocardial injury or myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery (Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence).
  2. We recommend the initiation of long-term statin therapy in patients who suffer myocardial injury or myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery (Strong Recommendation; Moderate-Quality Evidence).
Values and Preferences

Although these data are limited to risk-adjusted observational data, the panel believed that the current available data support the use of ASA and a statin in patients who suffer a myocardial injury or myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery. Panel members also considered the overwhelming evidence of the beneficial effects of ASA and statin after cardiac events in the nonsurgical setting.

Practical Tip

Although our recommendations focus on ASA and statin therapy in patients who suffer a myocardial injury or myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery, these patients should be followed-up by a medical specialist to monitor their status and optimize medications and undertake prognostic tests on the basis of their expert clinical judgement.