The management of patients who undergo coronary artery stent implantation and subsequently require noncardiac surgery is a real and challenging clinical problem. In 2008, more than 800 000 percutaneous coronary procedures were performed in the United States, with coronary stents implanted in over 96% of cases.1 Approximately 5% of patients undergo noncardiac surgery in the 12 months following coronary stent implantation.2