title: Perioperative beta-blocker therapy in vascular surgery: clinical update.
abstract: Patients undergoing vascular surgery comprise a group at elevated risk of fatal and nonfatal perioperative cardiovascular events. In four recent longitudinal studies, the 30-day incidence of death in such patients was 3% to 6%, and the incidence of myocardial infarction was 5% to 14%. Growing evidence suggests that beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, including those undergoing vascular surgery. This article reviews the available evidence concerning beta-blockers and provides guidance for their use in the perioperative setting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. daniel.hackam@ices.on.ca
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hackam
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D019990:Perioperative Care; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists