2009 ACCF/AHA Focused Update on Perioperative Beta Blockade

This document is a focused update from the “ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Care for Noncardiac Surgery.” The update was written in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society. It addresses the prophylactic use of beta blockers preoperatively to minimize cardiac risk.

This focused document was not intended to cover other legitimate uses of beta blockers (e.g., as an adjunct in anesthetic regimens, for intraoperative control of heart rate or blood pressure, or to achieve heart rate control in common perioperative arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation).

With the exception of the recommendations presented in this version, the full-text of the 2007 guideline remains current. Only the recommendations from the affected section(s) of the 2007 guideline are included in this focused update.

Related Document:
ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Care for Noncardiac Surgery (2007)
These guidelines are intended for physicians and nonphysician caregivers who are involved in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. They provide a framework for considering cardiac risk of noncardiac surgery in a variety of patient and surgical situations. Download guidelines (PDF, 876K)