title: Beta blockers and alpha2 agonists for cardioprotection.
abstract: Perioperative beta blockade or the use of alpha2 agonists remains a contentious and controversial area of perioperative medicine. Although there is no question that the liberal use of beta blockers (or alpha2 agonists) to prevent or reduce overt signs of sympathetic overactivity, particularly at known periods of stress (e.g. induction, incision, emergence, etc) is an important and routine part of the management of high risk patients, there remains considerable controversy in the literature regarding the efficacy of either short or long-term regimens on cardiac morbidity or long-term outcomes, particularly in those patients not previously receiving medication for known coronary artery disease or hypertension. The role of strict heart rate control (and its safety with regards to hypotension and possibly congestive heart failure) versus intermittent fixed dosing of beta blockers is particularly contentious. We consider the latest literature on this topic and identify areas of agreement and contention and present the latest recommendations of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Perioperative Guidelines Group.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94941, USA. londonm@anesthesia.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: London
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents