Safety of a postoperative beta-blocker infusion protocol for nonmonitored units in a community hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety of a novel metoprolol infusion protocol implemented on patient care units without cardiac monitoring.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
511-bed community teaching hospital.


METHODS
100 high cardiac-risk patients undergoing 103 noncardiac surgeries who received 354 infusions.


METHODS
5, 7.5, or 10 mg of metoprolol infused over two hours.


METHODS
Infusion dosage and timing, vital signs and adverse events.


RESULTS
A significant decrease in heart rate was demonstrated without any significant adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Our novel metoprolol infusion protocol was safe on nonmonitored units.
Zarraga
Ida
I
Department of Medicine, Hospital of Saint Raphael, 1450 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Atlas
Stephen
S
Drury
John
J
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003237:Connecticut; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000592:standards*; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008790:Metoprolol