Study: Beta Blockers Reduce Post-Operative Mortality Rates

Surgical patients with known heart disease risks who are given beta blockers before and after surgery have a significantly reduced chance of post-operative death compared to those not given beta blockers, according to a study by researches at San Francisco VA Medical Center.

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Rachel Fields

The study appears in the Oct. 2010 issue of Anesthesiology. The analysis of 38,779 surgeries performed at SFVAMC from 1996-2008 is the largest retrospective study of perioperative beta blockade.

The study showed surgical patients who were taking beta blockers before surgery and had at least one dose after surgery, as well as those not on beta blockers before surgery who were given at least one dose of beta blockers after surgery, had a significantly lower post-operative mortality rate than those who never received beta blockers.

Read the Health Canal report on beta blockers.

Read more on anesthesia best practices:

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–Understanding Outsourced Anesthesia: Q&A with Dr. Marc Koch of Somnia Anesthesia Services

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