This study found, 30-days after surgery, nearly 13 percent of patients not taking aspirin experienced a heart attack, stroke or other major cardiac event, compared to only 8.6 percent in the aspirin group.
Currently, the American Heart Association recommends patients stop taking aspirin before major surgery because of the risk of excessive bleeding.
Researchers say, more research needs to be done before changing those guidelines.
The information was released at a meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
