The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of atenolol on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity after noncardiac surgery. Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia Research Group.
Perioperative myocardial ischemia is the single most important potentially reversible risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular complications after noncardiac surgery. Although more than 1 million patients have such complications annually, there is no effective preventive therapy. ⋯ In patients who have or are at risk for coronary artery disease who must undergo noncardiac surgery, treatment with atenolol during hospitalization can reduce mortality and the incidence of cardiovascular complications for as long as two years after surgery.
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Editorial Comment
Reducing cardiovascular risk in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.