Key Findings
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Metoprolol reduced the risk of myocardial infarction but increased the risk of death and stroke. The negative outcomes appeared to occur through an increase in hypotension on surgical floors.
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The POISE trial highlighted the risk in assuming a perioperative beta-blocker regimen has benefit without substantial harm, and the importance and need for large randomized trials in the perioperative setting.
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Patients are unlikely to accept the risks associated with perioperative extended-release metoprolol.
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Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal fragment of proBNP (NT-proBNP) should be measured before surgery in patients who are ≥65 years of age, are 45 to 64 years of age with significant cardiovascular disease, or have a Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥1.
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Physician should avoid performing preoperative resting echocardiography, coronary CT angiography, exercise or cardiopulmonary exercise testing, or pharmacological stress echocardiography or radionuclide imaging.
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