Perioperative Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Death with and without Preoperative Beta Blockers

This study compares patients who have had a myocardial infarction in the perioperative period who were on perioperative beta blockers with those who had a myocardial infarction and were not on perioperative beta blockers. The charts of 68 patients were reviewed retrospectively. The timing and diagnosis of the myocardial infarction, gender, age, type of surgery, type of anesthesia, diabetics, preoperative medical clearance, and deaths were recorded. A subgroup of patients who had significant bleeding perioperatively or postoperatively were compared with patients with no bleeding problems. From 1998 through 2006, there were 46,003 patients who had surgery and 68 perioperative infarcts. Of the 68 patients, 25 received perioperative beta blockers and 11 died. Of the 43 patients who did not receive beta blockers, 22 died. There was no statistically significant difference when the patients were analyzed for concomitant bleeding or nonbleeding with regards to survival and beta blockers.