Zur perioperativen Gabe von ACE-Hemmern

2024 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management of adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from August 2022 to March 2023 to identify clinical studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2014 ACC/AHA Guideline on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Management of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery" have been updated with new evidence consolidated to guide clinicians; clinicians should be advised this guideline supersedes the previously published 2014 guideline. In addition, evidence-based management strategies, including pharmacological therapies, perioperative monitoring, and devices, for cardiovascular disease and associated medical conditions, have been developed.

Cardiovascular risk management in the peri-operative setting

Peri-operative cardiovascular events occur in up to 3% of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Accurate cardiovascular risk assessment is important in the peri-operative setting, as it allows informed and shared decisions regarding the appropriateness of proceeding with surgery, guides surgical and anaesthetic approaches, and may influence the use of preventive medications and post-operative cardiac monitoring. Quantitative risk assessment may also inform a reconsideration of choosing a more limited lower risk type of surgery, or conservative management. Pre-operative cardiovascular risk assessment starts with clinical assessment and should include an estimate of functional capacity. Specialised cardiac investigations are rarely indicated specifically to assess pre-operative cardiovascular risk. The decision regarding cardiac investigations is influenced by the nature, extent and urgency of surgery. The strategy of performing pre-operative revascularisation to improve post-operative outcomes is not evidence-based and recent international guidelines recommend against this.

Hypotension-Avoidance Versus Hypertension-Avoidance Strategies in Noncardiac Surgery : An International Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Among patients having noncardiac surgery, perioperative hemodynamic abnormalities are associated with vascular complications. Uncertainty remains about what intraoperative blood pressure to target and how to manage long-term antihypertensive medications perioperatively.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of a hypotension-avoidance and a hypertension-avoidance strategy on major vascular complications after noncardiac surgery.

DESIGN

Partial factorial randomized trial of 2 perioperative blood pressure management strategies (reported here) and tranexamic acid versus placebo. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03505723).

SETTING

110 hospitals in 22 countries.

PATIENTS

7490 patients having noncardiac surgery who were at risk for vascular complications and were receiving 1 or more long-term antihypertensive medications.

INTERVENTION

In the hypotension-avoidance strategy group, the intraoperative mean arterial pressure target was 80 mm Hg or greater; before and for 2 days after surgery, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors were withheld and the other long-term antihypertensive medications were administered only for systolic blood pressures 130 mm Hg or greater, following an algorithm. In the hypertension-avoidance strategy group, the intraoperative mean arterial pressure target was 60 mm Hg or greater; all antihypertensive medications were continued before and after surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was a composite of vascular death and nonfatal myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, stroke, and cardiac arrest at 30 days. Outcome adjudicators were masked to treatment assignment.

RESULTS

The primary outcome occurred in 520 of 3742 patients (13.9%) in the hypotension-avoidance group and in 524 of 3748 patients (14.0%) in the hypertension-avoidance group (hazard ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.88 to 1.12]; P = 0.92). Results were consistent for patients who used 1 or more than 1 antihypertensive medication in the long term.

LIMITATION

Adherence to the assigned strategies was suboptimal; however, results were consistent across different adherence levels.

CONCLUSION

In patients having noncardiac surgery, our hypotension-avoidance and hypertension-avoidance strategies resulted in a similar incidence of major vascular complications.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), and Research Grant Council of Hong Kong.

Rationale and design of the PeriOperative ISchemic Evaluation-3 (POISE-3): a randomized controlled trial evaluating tranexamic acid and a strategy to minimize hypotension in noncardiac surgery

Background

For patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, bleeding and hypotension are frequent and associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent with the potential to reduce surgical bleeding; however, there is uncertainty about its efficacy and safety in noncardiac surgery. Although usual perioperative care is commonly consistent with a hypertension-avoidance strategy (i.e., most patients continue their antihypertensive medications throughout the perioperative period and intraoperative mean arterial pressures of 60 mmHg are commonly accepted), a hypotension-avoidance strategy may improve perioperative outcomes.

Methods

The PeriOperative Ischemic Evaluation (POISE)-3 Trial is a large international randomized controlled trial designed to determine if TXA is superior to placebo for the composite outcome of life-threatening, major, and critical organ bleeding, and non-inferior to placebo for the occurrence of major arterial and venous thrombotic events, at 30 days after randomization. Using a partial factorial design, POISE-3 will additionally determine the effect of a hypotension-avoidance strategy versus a hypertension-avoidance strategy on the risk of major cardiovascular events, at 30 days after randomization. The target sample size is 10,000 participants. Patients ≥45 years of age undergoing noncardiac surgery, with or at risk of cardiovascular and bleeding complications, are randomized to receive a TXA 1 g intravenous bolus or matching placebo at the start and at the end of surgery. Patients, health care providers, data collectors, outcome adjudicators, and investigators are blinded to the treatment allocation. Patients on ≥ 1 chronic antihypertensive medication are also randomized to either of the two blood pressure management strategies, which differ in the management of patient antihypertensive medications on the morning of surgery and on the first 2 days after surgery, and in the target mean arterial pressure during surgery. Outcome adjudicators are blinded to the blood pressure treatment allocation. Patients are followed up at 30 days and 1 year after randomization.

Discussion

Bleeding and hypotension in noncardiac surgery are common and have a substantial impact on patient prognosis. The POISE-3 trial will evaluate two interventions to determine their impact on bleeding, cardiovascular complications, and mortality.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03505723. Registered on 23 April 2018.

Risk of cardiovascular complications during non-cardiac surgery and preoperative cardiac evaluation

The preoperative evaluation of candidates to non-cardiac surgery requires a knowledge of factors related both to the type of surgery and to the risk of each patient, in order to predict the potential cardiovascular complications. Over the past several decades, the field of preoperative cardiac evaluation before non-cardiac surgery has evolved substantially on the basis of the current guidelines of international medical societies. The aim of this paper is to summarize available evidence on the risk of non-cardiac surgery, focusing on appropriate cardiovascular assessment prior to surgery.

Withholding vs. Continuing Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Before Non-cardiac Surgery in Older Patients: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Older hypertensive adults are at increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. As first line antihypertensive drug therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have many beneficial effects. However, the use of ACEIs/ARBs in the perioperative period remains controversial. This study aims to determine the effects of withholding vs. continuing ACEIs/ARBs before non-cardiac surgery on perioperative hypotension and postoperative outcomes in older patients.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 2036 patients aged 60–80 years undergoing non-cardiac surgical procedures will be randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive oral ACEIs/ARBs (the ACEIs/ARBs continued group) or inactive placebos (the ACEIs/ARBs withheld group) on the morning of surgery. For both groups, the ACEIs/ARBs will be continued from the first postoperative day. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of perioperative hypotensive events, defined as mean blood pressure (MBP) < 65 mmHg or ≥30% reduction in MBP from baseline during surgery and in a post-anesthesia care unit. The secondary outcomes include duration of perioperative hypotension, intraoperative use of fluids and vasopressors, hypotensive events within postoperative 3 days, and perioperative neurocognitive disorders, major adverse cardiocerebral events (a composite outcome of stroke, coma, myocardial infarction, heart block, and cardiac arrest), and mortality within 30 days after surgery.

Discussion: The results of this trial will offer an evidence-based perioperative ACEIs/ARBs therapy for older hypertensive adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Study Registration: This study is approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (Approval No. 2020-077-1) and by the institutional ethics review board of each participating center. This protocol is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2000039376).

Perioperative Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management for Noncardiac Surgery: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Perioperative cardiovascular complications occur in 3% of hospitalizations for noncardiac surgery in the US. This review summarizes evidence regarding cardiovascular risk assessment prior to noncardiac surgery.

OBSERVATIONS

Preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment requires a focused history and physical examination to identify signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and severe valvular disease. Risk calculators, such as the Revised Cardiac Risk Index, identify individuals with low risk (<1%) and higher risk (≥1%) for perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events during the surgical hospital admission or within 30 days of surgery. Cardiovascular testing is rarely indicated in patients at low risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. Stress testing may be considered in patients at higher risk (determined by the inability to climb ≥2 flights of stairs, which is <4 metabolic equivalent tasks) if the results from the testing would change the perioperative medical, anesthesia, or surgical approaches. Routine coronary revascularization does not reduce perioperative risk and should not be performed without specific indications independent of planned surgery. Routine perioperative use of low-dose aspirin (100 mg/d) does not decrease cardiovascular events but does increase surgical bleeding. Statins are associated with fewer postoperative cardiovascular complications and lower mortality (1.8% vs 2.3% without statin use; P < .001) in observational studies, and should be considered preoperatively in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease undergoing vascular surgery. High-dose β-blockers (eg, 100 mg of metoprolol succinate) administered 2 to 4 hours prior to surgery are associated with a higher risk of stroke (1.0% vs 0.5% without β-blocker use; P = .005) and mortality (3.1% vs 2.3% without β-blocker use; P = .03) and should not be routinely used. There is a greater risk of perioperative myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events in adults aged 75 years or older (9.5% vs 4.8% for younger adults; P < .001) and in patients with coronary stents (8.9% vs 1.5% for those without stents; P < .001) and these patients warrant careful preoperative consideration.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Comprehensive history, physical examination, and assessment of functional capacity during daily life should be performed prior to noncardiac surgery to assess cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular testing is rarely indicated in patients with a low risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, but may be useful in patients with poor functional capacity (<4 metabolic equivalent tasks) undergoing high-risk surgery if test results would change therapy independent of the planned surgery. Perioperative medical therapy should be prescribed based on patient-specific risk.

Frequency of Intraoperative Hypotension After the Induction of Anesthesia in Hypertensive Patients with Preoperative Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Introduction

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important target in the treatment of hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors not only treat hypertension but also decrease morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients and in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The discontinuation of ACE inhibitors before the surgery is still controversial. To assess the current magnitude of the problem in our population, we aimed to conduct this study, which evaluated the frequency of intraoperative hypotension after the induction of anesthesia in controlled hypertensive patients with preoperative ACE inhibitors.

Material and methods

This descriptive case series study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in a developing country after approval from the Ethics Review Committee. A total of 115 adult patients, from 16 to 60 years of age, who have undergone elective surgery, have controlled hypertension on the desired drugs for at least six months, have no history of any cardiac event, and have taken the drug on the morning of the surgery, were included in the study after written consent. The demographic data of the patients were entered into the proforma. Preoperative systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure were recorded by the researcher or an assignee in the preoperative holding area. The patients were followed in the recovery room by the team conducting the study until 10 minutes after the arrival of the patient in the recovery room. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 19 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Of the 115 patients, 56 (48.7%) patients were in the age group between 51 and 60 years of age; 38 patients were between the ages of 41 and 50 years and only 21 patients were 40 years or less. On gender, 68 patients were female and 47 were male. According to body mass index (BMI), the majority of the patients were in the overweight group, amounting to 53 (46%), and 86 (74.78%) patients were known diabetics. Overall, 77 (66.96%) of the patients developed intraoperative hypotension with 41 (35.65%) patients requiring the use of vasopressors in order to correct the hypotension. No statistically significant difference was found between demographic and clinical variables.

Conclusion

Intraoperative hypotension is more frequent in patients with controlled hypertension on ACE inhibitors although more studies need to be conducted on a larger population in order to determine a more definitive result.

Comparison of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Management Strategies Before Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Registry Trial

Background

Postoperative clinical outcomes associated with the preoperative continuation or discontinuation of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) before cardiac surgery remain unclear.

Methods and Results

In a single‐center, open‐label, randomized, registry‐based clinical trial, patients undergoing nonemergent cardiac surgery were assigned to ACEI/ARB continuation or discontinuation 2 days before surgery. Among the 584 patients screened, 261 met study criteria and 126 (48.3%) patients were enrolled. In total,121 patients (96% adherence; 60 to continuation and 61 to ACEI/ARB discontinuation) underwent surgery and completed the study protocol, and follow‐up was 100% complete. Postoperative intravenous vasopressor use (78.3% versus 75.4%, P=0.703), vasodilator use (71.7% versus 80.3%, P=0.265), vasoplegic shock (31.7% versus 27.9%, P=0.648), median duration of vasopressor (10 versus 5 hours, P=0.494), and vasodilator requirements (10 versus 9 hours, P=0.469) were not significantly different between the continuation and discontinuation arms. No differences were observed in the incidence of acute kidney injury (1.7% versus 1.6%, P=0.991), stroke (no events, mortality (1.7% versus 1.6%, P=0.991), median duration of mechanical ventilation (6 versus 6 hours, P=0.680), and median intensive care unit length of stay (43 versus 27 hours, P=0.420) between the treatment arms.

Conclusions

A randomized study evaluating the routine continuation or discontinuation of ACEIs or ARBs before cardiac surgery was feasible, and treatment assignment was not associated with differences in postoperative physiological or clinical outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that preoperative ACEI/ARB management strategies did not affect the postoperative course of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02096406.

Perioperative SBP changes during orthopedic surgery in the elderly: clinical implications

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine SBP changes during the perioperative period of a scheduled knee surgery under regional anesthesia and the extent of perioperative (in-hospital) white-coat effect.

METHODS

All patients (aged ≥60 years) underwent clinic SBP measurements during both cardiological and anesthesiological visits, while home SBP the week before admission was obtained. Clinic SBP was registered just before surgery, during surgery and reanimation. Ambulatory monitoring was also performed (12 h before surgery to 6-8 h after surgery). One month after discharge, clinic SBP was measured at hypertension unit.

RESULTS

Eligible participants (N = 50, mean age 74 ± 7 years, 34% men, 26% with history of cardiovascular disease) had higher SBP during the anesthesiologic than the cardiological evaluation (157 ± 23 vs. 144 ± 18 mmHg, P < 0.001), and the former levels were almost identical to those clinically measured just before surgery. A significant white-coat effect between ambulatory and clinic measurements just before surgery (16.4 ± 21 mmHg, P < 0.001) and between entire ambulatory recording and clinic BP measurements the day before surgery (12.4 ± 16 and 24.8 ± 21 mmHg for cardiologic and anesthesiologic visit, respectively, P < 0.001 for both) was noticed, whereas intraoperatively the white-coat effect faded away. There was a greater SBP decline during surgery in patients aged more than 75 years compared with younger, whereas selective treatment discontinuation (except beta blockers and calcium channel blockers) did not modulate SBP trajectories.

CONCLUSION

The significant white-coat effect observed in scheduled noncardiac surgery is clinically important and the home BP measurement performed before surgery or ABPM, highly reflects the hypertensive burden of the patient. Blood pressure decrease during surgery is quite pronounced especially in patients aged more than 75 years. Aggressive BP lowering should be avoided.

Perioperative use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Clinical repercussions of perioperative treatment with ACEIs/ARBs.

DESIGN

Systematic review according to PRISMA statement.

SETTING

Perioperative period.

PATIENTS

29 studies 11 cases/cases series, 12 observational studies and 6 randomized studies.

MEASUREMENTS

Arterial blood pressure differences, refractory hypotension, other comorbidities.

MAIN RESULTS

The studies show different results regarding the topics measured. They are divided in the results regarding blood pressure, long term morbidities and effects in neuraxial anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Withholding AECI/ARBs on the morning prior to surgery could be recommended as a potentially effective measure, with a low level of evidence, in order to reduce the appearance of hypotension in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgery.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiac Risk Assessment and Management for Patients Who Undergo Noncardiac Surgery

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines Committee and key Canadian opinion leaders believed there was a need for up to date guidelines that used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system of evidence assessment for patients who undergo noncardiac surgery. Strong recommendations included: 1) measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal fragment of proBNP (NT-proBNP) before surgery to enhance perioperative cardiac risk estimation in patients who are 65 years of age or older, are 45-64 years of age with significant cardiovascular disease, or have a Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥ 1; 2) against performing preoperative resting echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, exercise or cardiopulmonary exercise testing, or pharmacological stress echocardiography or radionuclide imaging to enhance perioperative cardiac risk estimation; 3) against the initiation or continuation of acetylsalicylic acid for the prevention of perioperative cardiac events, except in patients with a recent coronary artery stent or who will undergo carotid endarterectomy; 4) against α₂ agonist or β-blocker initiation within 24 hours before surgery; 5) withholding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker starting 24 hours before surgery; 6) facilitating smoking cessation before surgery; 7) measuring daily troponin for 48 to 72 hours after surgery in patients with an elevated NT-proBNP/BNP measurement before surgery or if there is no NT-proBNP/BNP measurement before surgery, in those who have a Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥1, age 45-64 years with significant cardiovascular disease, or age 65 years or older; and 8) initiating of long-term acetylsalicylic acid and statin therapy in patients who suffer myocardial injury/infarction after surgery.

Effect of pre-operative discontinuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists on intra-operative arterial pressures after induction of general anesthesia

CONTEXT

Medical guidelines advise perioperative continuation many antihypertensives, but discontinuing angiotensin antagonists before surgery.

AIMS

This study is aimed to determine the effect of preoperative discontinuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA) on intra-operative blood pressure after induction of general anesthesia.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study was a randomized, prospective and double blinded one done in 60 hypertensive patients, receiving these drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were randomized into two equal groups. In Group A, ACEI or angiotensin II receptor antagonist was stopped the day before surgery, but in Group B it was continued. Anesthetic management was standardized by a study protocol. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured just before induction and after induction at 1 min, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Difference between means and difference between two proportions was analyzed using Normal test for means and corresponding P values were calculated.

RESULTS

Pre-induction SBP, DBP and MAP were comparable between groups. However when the pre-induction values were compared with subsequent readings at 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, it was found that there was a significant reduction in SBP, DBP and MAP in Group B up to 60 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative hemodynamics can be safely managed when ACEI or ARA are withheld on the day of surgery.

Preoperative preparation of patients with arterial or pulmonary hypertension in noncardiac surgery

Arterial hypertension is not an independent risk factor in cardiovascular complications in noncardiac surgery. Nevertheless, preoperative evaluation is necessary and includes estimation of arterial hypertension grade and possible damage of target organs. In patients with first and second grade of arterial hypertension postponement of elective intervention is not necessary, only optimization of therapy. On the other hand, patients with third level arterial hypertension have benefit if intervention is postponed till the reduction of arterial pressure. There is no indication that any of the antihypertensive drug groups has advantage in the preoperative treatment of hypertension. Unlike arterial hypertension pulmonary hypertension increases the risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. In patients with pulmonary hypertension, anesthesia and surgery may be complicated with heart failure, hypoxia and arrhythmias. Preoperative and postoperative treatments include calcium channel blockers, prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists and inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and blood pressure response during total intravenous anaesthesia for minor surgery

BACKGROUND

This study investigates whether long-term treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) impairs the haemodynamic regulation during total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) for minor surgery.

METHODS

In a prospective, two-armed observational study, 36 patients undergoing TIVA for minor surgery were studied. Seventeen were taking ACEIs regularly but no other antihypertensive medication (ACEI group); 19 patients without any cardiovascular medication served as controls (non-ACEI group). Haemodynamic variables were measured every minute during induction and every 5 min during surgery. The plasma levels of renin, angiotensin II, vasopressin and catecholamines were measured before and 18 min after the induction of anaesthesia.

RESULTS

The mean arterial pressure decreased to the same extent in both the groups during the induction of TIVA. There were also no differences between the groups regarding the heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, as well as the use of vasoconstrictors, and fluids during induction and throughout surgery. In the ACEI group, the plasma renin concentration was higher at baseline and after the induction of anaesthesia presumably due to the interruption of the negative renin-angiotensin feedback loop (P<0.05). Angiotensin II increased only in the non-ACEI group (6.2 ± 2.2 before vs. 9.6 ± 3.5 pg/ml after induction; P<0.05). In both groups, the plasma norepinephrine concentration decreased after the induction of TIVA (P<0.05). Plasma vasopressin and plasma epinephrine concentrations did not change in either group.

CONCLUSION

Long-term ACEI treatment does not further aggravate the blood pressure decrease under TIVA during minor surgery, provided the induction procedure is slow, the patient is kept well hydrated and vasoconstrictors are promptly applied.

Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers: should they be stopped or not before ambulatory anaesthesia?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As day surgery continues to expand, more patients will be encountered who are chronically taking a range of cardiovascular medications for the management of hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. This review will consider the available evidence relating to whether or not these medications should be continued throughout the perioperative period in ambulatory surgical patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been relatively little research in this area which is specific to ambulatory surgery and much of the available evidence from major surgery has been assembled over the many years that these medications have been in use. In order to provide a comprehensive and balanced review, we have considered relevant evidence outside of the usual review period.

SUMMARY

Patients should continue to take beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers on the day of surgery. Continuing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers increases the likelihood of intraoperative hypotension. This can be reduced by withholding these drugs, but will also respond to simple treatments without any apparent adverse outcomes. It may therefore simplify instructions to patients if they are told to take all cardiac medications as normal.

Impact of combination medical therapy on mortality in vascular surgery patients

BACKGROUND

Th use of beta-blockers or statins has been associated with decreased mortality after noncardiac surgery. There are no prior perioperative studies of concurrent use of other cardioprotective drugs.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether combinations of aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and/or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were associated with decreased mortality 6 months after vascular surgery.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study on the 3020 patients who underwent vascular surgery between January 1998 and March 2005 at 5 regional Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used to assess associations with 6-month all-cause mortality for the combination drug exposures compared to no exposure while adjusting for propensity score.

RESULTS

Exposure to all 4 of the study drugs compared to none had a propensity-adjusted relative risk (aRR) of 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-1.01; P = 0.052), number needed to treat (NNT) 19; 3 drugs vs. none, aRR 0.60 (95% CI, 0.38-0.95; P = 0.030), NNT 38; 2 drugs vs. none, aRR 0.68 (95% CI, 0.46-0.99; P = 0.043), NNT 170; and 1 drug vs. none, aRR 0.88 (95% CI, 0.63-1.22; P = 0.445). ACE inhibitor exposure was common in all combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination use of 2 to 3 study drugs, some of which included ACE inhibitors, was associated with decreased mortality after vascular surgery. Combination use of all 4 study drugs was not statistically significant due to the small number of events in this group. Further prospective studies of combination perioperative aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and ACE inhibitors are warranted.