Study: Beta-blockers could increase postoperative stroke risk

Editor's Note

Research presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting has found that beta-blocker use is associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke, particularly among Black and Hispanic patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries, Medpage Today reported October 20.

According to the article, the retrospective study analyzed the records of 205,886 adults from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center between 2005 and 2021, revealing a correlation between beta-blocker use and stroke risk across different racial groups.

Patients starting beta-blockers within 30 days prior to surgery had a 25% increased risk of postoperative stroke, while those on any beta-blocker within 30 days had a 17% higher risk, Medpage reports. Sustained beta-blocker use over the previous year was linked to an 8% increase in stroke risk.

Further analysis showed that Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to experience postoperative strokes and more likely to use beta-blockers. 

These findings build on evidence from the POISE trial, which linked beta-blockers to higher risks of stroke and death when administered 2-4 hours before surgery. Although beta-blockers increase stroke risk regardless of when they are given, they also showed protective effects against myocardial infarction in the POISE trial, Medpage reports. One study co-author says simply discontinuing beta-blockers is not beneficial and called for further investigation.