Patient understanding of the importance of beta-blocker use in the perioperative period

Perioperative beta-adrenergic blockade has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine patient knowledge of the importance of perioperative beta-blockade in a population already taking chronic therapy and to assess the effectiveness of medical and surgical providers in patient education regarding these benefits.Survey.Teaching hospital.One hundred twenty-six patients taking daily beta-blockers presenting to a preoperative medical evaluation clinic completed a 12-question survey that assessed their understanding of the potential benefit of taking the medication in the perioperative period.None.Mean coronary artery disease risk factors per individual were 3.2 (standard deviation, 1.5). Forty-nine percent indicated that beta-blockers are beneficial in the perioperative period. Of those identifying benefit, 8% recognized decrease in myocardial infarction or decrease in mortality as the reason. Sixty-nine percent of patients who identified perioperative benefit cited blood pressure control as the reason. This correlated to the 67% of the total sample who identified their indication for the medication as antihypertensive. Only 7% recalled their prescribing physician ever mentioning the beta-blocker in relation to surgery. The same percentage recalled their surgeon mentioning it in relation to the planned procedure.This study suggests low patient understanding of the potential importance and reasons for perioperative beta-blockade. Patients who recognized perioperative benefit identified antihypertensive versus cardioprotective effects. Clinicians can improve education of patients already taking daily beta-blockers regarding these potential benefits.