title: Perioperative use of beta-blockers in the elderly patient.
abstract: Elderly patients are increasingly referred for complex surgery, but are at particular risk for coronary artery disease. One strategy to prevent perioperative cardiac events in elderly patients is to employ perioperative beta-blockade, but doing so has the potential to increase the incidence of congestive heart failure, perioperative hypotension, bradycardia, and stroke. This article examines common comorbidities in the elderly who may benefit from the chronic use of beta-blockers, prophylactic perioperative use of beta-blockers including timing, dosage, and choice of beta-blocker, the pharmacologic effects of aging, and recommendations on the use of beta-blockers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195-6540, USA. lombaard@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Stefan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lombaard
authors.forename: Reinette
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robbertze
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D019990:Perioperative Care
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists