[Perioperative cardioprotection. Golden standard beta-blockade?].
Myocardial ischemia is a major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Because of a growing expectancy of lives, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, and thus the number of surgical patients presenting with a cardiovascular risk profile. Based upon pathophysiological considerations, different interventions to lower perioperative cardiovascular risk have been evaluated. The mostly discussed intervention believed to prevent cardiovascular complications in the perioperative period is the use of beta-blockers. Although many authors agree that perioperative beta-blockade is effective in high-risk patients, less is known about the optimal timing, dosage and the identification of patients in whom the intervention would be beneficial. Based upon the available data we try to answer questions about timing and dosage, and we discuss possible side effects and economic questions. Another cardioprotective option is the use of statins. Besides their lipid-lowering properties, so called pleiotropic effects are believed to decrease cardiac risk. Furthermore, different interventions can be used in addition to or as an alternative to perioperative beta-blocker therapy, such as alpha-2 agonists, thoracic epidural analgesia or coronary revascularization.
Butte
Nils
N
Klinik für Anaesthesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. nils.butte@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Böttiger
B W
BW
Teschendorf
P
P
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D012306:Risk
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids