Perioperative administration of beta-blockers

Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease are at an increased risk for perioperative myocardial ischaemia. It has been shown that perioperative myocardial ischaemia is a risk factor for postoperative cardiac events such as myocardial infarction or cardiac death. The prevention of perioperative myocardial ischemia therefore presents an important strategy to improve postoperative outcome. In addition, relatively simple methods such as risk indices have been developed in studies of the past few years to identify patients at an increased cardiac risk. T6 perioperative administration of beta-blockers currently represents the most effective strategy to reduce perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality. However, additional studies are required to optimize drug selection and dosage strategies.