Benefits and risks associated with β-blocker prophylaxis in noncardiac surgery
Review
Overview
MeSH Major
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
Postoperative Complications
Surgical Procedures, Operative
abstract
Perioperative use of beta-blockers in NCS can protect against postoperative MI but increases the risk of stroke, severe hypotension, and severe bradycardia. Although less common, the strokes are severe, and the troubling trend toward increasing cardiovascular and total mortality precludes the recommendation for their use in patients not previously treated with beta-blockers.