The use of perioperative beta blockers in non-cardiac surgery patients

Abstract

Currently, more than 30 million noncardiac surgeries are performed in the United States each year. Perioperative cardiac complications are a major cause of morbidity and death in these patients, prolonging hospitalizations and significantly increasing health care costs. The potential role of beta blockers in reducing the incidence of perioperative cardiac complications has been a subject of debate and controversy for some time.