–The latest sign of turmoil in the generic drug marketplace. The widely prescribed beta-blocker atenolol is in short supply around the country. The FDA first reported an atenolol shortage on July 26. According to the FDA website, three companies that manufacture generic atenolol — Mylan, Sandoz, and Teva — say that the cause is a…
Study Raises New Questions About Perioperative Beta Blockers
October 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A large observational study finds that patients with hypertension who are taking beta blockers have higher rates of cardiovascular complications after noncardiac surgery. The study appears to support current guidelines against using beta blockers in the initial treatment of essential hypertension and may offer a contribution to the ongoing debate over the use of perioperative beta-blockade for noncardiac surgery…
Doctors Halt Squabbling And Agree How To Manage Hypertension In People With Blocked Arteries
March 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There’s been a lot of drama in the hypertension field over the past few years. Initially sparked by the decision of the National Institutes of Health to end its sponsorship of national guidelines, the subsequent appearance of multiple guidelines with divergent recommendations led to even more controversy and discussion. Now, however, the appearance of a new scientific statement…
Guideline Critics Shift Attacks From Beta Blockers To Statins
August 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
With the release today of updated European and US guidelines the ongoing controversy regarding beta-blockers appears to be resolved. But that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be an outbreak of guideline peace and harmony. The critics who helped ignite the controversy over beta blockers now say new statin recommendations contained in the guidelines are based on deeply flawed evidence….
Study Suggests Benefit For Beta Blockers During Noncardiac Surgery
April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The use of perioperative beta-blockade for noncardiac surgery has been declining as a result of the controversial POISE study, which turned up evidence for harm associated with extended-release metoprolol in this setting. Now a large new observational study published in JAMA offers a contrary perspective by suggesting that perioperative beta-blockade may be beneficial in low-…
Registry Study Raises Questions About Cardioprotective Effect Of Beta Blockers
October 2, 2012 by 1 Comment
Although beta-blockers have been a cornerstone of therapy for patients with coronary artery disease for more than a generation, a new study published in JAMA suggests that that in the modern era beta blockers may not improve outcomes. Sriapl Bangalore and colleagues analyzed data from 44,708 patients enrolled in the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued…
Recent Comments