Should my outpatient center have a beta-blocker protocol?

Objective: Perioperative beta-blockade has been advocated by multiple authors and recent guidelines as a strategy to reduce cardiac risk in noncardiac surgery. Knowledge about application of this treatment modality to the ambulatory surgery population is poor.

Results: Although the initial trial in patients with a positive stress test undergoing major vascular surgery demonstrated significantly fewer perioperative cardiac events among those randomized to perioperative beta-blocker therapy, more recent studies in patients without documented coronary artery disease undergoing major noncardiac surgical procedures were unable to demonstrate efficacy. Guidelines from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology have been reported and advocated class I recommendations for perioperative beta-blockade only for patients previously taking beta-blockers and those patients with a positive stress test undergoing vascular surgery. There was insufficient evidence to make a recommendation in low-risk surgery.

Conclusions: Based upon the available evidence and guidelines, patients currently taking beta-blockers and undergoing ambulatory surgery should continue these agents and protocols employing this strategy should be beneficial. In patients who are not currently taking beta-blockers and in whom long-term therapy is not warranted, current evidence does not support instituting prophylactic therapy in the ambulatory surgery population.