Beta Blockers in Surgery may increase risk of death
The practice of using beta blockers to reduce the risk of heart problems during surgery may actually do more harm than good, according to a recent study.
Although not a widely held practice, some surgeons use beta blockers to reduce the risk of a heart attack during surgery. However, a new Canadian study shows that those patient given beta blockers during surgery may have increased risk of death and stroke instead.
The study only looked at those patients given high dose beta blockers prior to surgery as a prevention against heart attack and not for patients who were already on long term beta blockers.
For more details, read the full report here.
Tags: beta blockers, death, heart attack, stroke, surgery