Beta-blockers, medications that have long been used to decrease the risk of heart-related complications during surgery, have recently been found as increasing the mortality rate of patients who 
United States of America (Press Release) May 22, 2008 --
May 13, 2008, Chicago – It isn’t unusual for people to be given a few medications prior to surgery. There are the expected anesthetics to dull the pain and put the patient to sleep. There may be a few other substances used to act as pain killers, or to keep certain body reactions from kicking in too quickly, or to prevent complications while the procedure is running. For some procedures, drugs known as beta-blockers are used to prevent heart-related problems from making surgical procedures any more complicated than they already are, but there are now some reports emerging that show that this may not be such a good idea.
According to a study conducted by Canadian health authorities, patients who were given beta-blockers during their surgical procedures experienced a rise in their mortality rates. The study stated that those who had the drug were more likely to die within a month of the procedure, and had double the risk of getting a stroke. The data was obtained via comparison of those who were given the actual pill and those who were given a placebo, to generate control data. Currently, this is the largest study into this area, with smaller studies having produced mixed results.
The findings are in direct opposition of a long-held belief that being given beta-blockers reduced the risks of heart complications after a surgical procedure has been performed. The physical stress caused by having a procedure done is usually cited as the cause for the drug’s use.
Certain hormones released during surgery are known to cause a person’s heart rate and blood pressure to go up during surgery, with the blockers supposedly being there to prevent this from happening.
The study involved more than 8,000 patients in 23 countries, with 190 hospitals participating in the process. All the people in the study were at risk, or already had, clogged arteries. Half were provided with a beta-blocker two to four hours prior to surgery, and 30 days afterward. The rest of the test subjects were provided with placebos.
The study found that those who were given the drug exhibited two sets of effects. The first set showed that they were less likely to develop problems such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and abnormal heart rhythms, but they were also more likely to die or to experience a stroke.
The research team said that an estimated 15 people, out of every 1,000 who have undergone non-cardiac surgery, could have decreased risk of getting a heart attack because of the drug. Another three, the study estimated, would require some sort of shock to restore normal heart functioning, while seven would develop a condition known as atrial fibrillation.
However, that same data shows that eight more patients would die because of the medication. An estimated five out of every 1,000 would suffer a stroke. Furthermore, 53% were likely to have abnormally low blood pressure after the procedure, and an estimated 42% would have an abnormally slow heart beat.
In a statement, Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said that “although the beta blocker reduced the number of heart attacks that occurred following surgery, it caused more strokes, thus on balance causing more harm than good.”
According to a study conducted by Canadian health authorities, patients who were given beta-blockers during their surgical procedures experienced a rise in their mortality rates. The study stated that those who had the drug were more likely to die within a month of the procedure, and had double the risk of getting a stroke. The data was obtained via comparison of those who were given the actual pill and those who were given a placebo, to generate control data. Currently, this is the largest study into this area, with smaller studies having produced mixed results.
The findings are in direct opposition of a long-held belief that being given beta-blockers reduced the risks of heart complications after a surgical procedure has been performed. The physical stress caused by having a procedure done is usually cited as the cause for the drug’s use.
Certain hormones released during surgery are known to cause a person’s heart rate and blood pressure to go up during surgery, with the blockers supposedly being there to prevent this from happening.
The study involved more than 8,000 patients in 23 countries, with 190 hospitals participating in the process. All the people in the study were at risk, or already had, clogged arteries. Half were provided with a beta-blocker two to four hours prior to surgery, and 30 days afterward. The rest of the test subjects were provided with placebos.
The study found that those who were given the drug exhibited two sets of effects. The first set showed that they were less likely to develop problems such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and abnormal heart rhythms, but they were also more likely to die or to experience a stroke.
The research team said that an estimated 15 people, out of every 1,000 who have undergone non-cardiac surgery, could have decreased risk of getting a heart attack because of the drug. Another three, the study estimated, would require some sort of shock to restore normal heart functioning, while seven would develop a condition known as atrial fibrillation.
However, that same data shows that eight more patients would die because of the medication. An estimated five out of every 1,000 would suffer a stroke. Furthermore, 53% were likely to have abnormally low blood pressure after the procedure, and an estimated 42% would have an abnormally slow heart beat.
In a statement, Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said that “although the beta blocker reduced the number of heart attacks that occurred following surgery, it caused more strokes, thus on balance causing more harm than good.”
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