Consider Recommending a Beta-Blocker for Surgery in High-Risk Patients

October 2014

New guidelines will clarify when to use beta-blockers for noncardiac surgery.

Beta-blockers reduce the risk of nonfatal heart attack in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery...probably by decreasing cardiac workload.

But this benefit can come at a cost...bradycardia, hypotension, and possibly a higher risk of stroke and death.

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Table of Contents

Hypertension Recommend Using Three "Core" Meds for Resistant Hypertension
Antithrombotics Encourage Aspirin Alone After a Year for Most Stent Patients
Infectious Diseases Recommend IM Ceftriaxone Plus Oral Azithromycin for Gonorrhea
Rheumatoid Arthritis Recommend Folic Acid for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on Methotrexate
Natural Health Products Watch for Adverse Effects When Combining Garcinia cambogia and Serotonergic Meds
Women's Health Avoid NuvaRing for Women at High Risk of Clotting
Women's Health Avoid Topical NSAIDs During Pregnancy
Respiratory & Allergy Save Xolair as a Last Resort for Chronic Hives
Substance Use Disorder Watch for Signs of Gabapentin Abuse
Biologics Don't Automatically Substitute Remsima or Inflectra for Remicade
Cardiology Consider Recommending a Beta-Blocker for Surgery in High-Risk Patients
Anxiety Suggest Pregabalin as an Alternative to a Benzodiazepine for Anxiety