Background: Beta-adrenergic-blocking medications may have a cardioprotective effect after high-risk vascular surgery. This effect has been shown primarily in men and has not been independently shown in women.
Methods: Retrospective data were collected from vascular surgery (primarily infrainguinal) patients. Adverse outcome was defined as myocardial infarction, new-onset congestive heart failure (CHF), significant arrhythmia, renal failure, or death. The incidence of adverse outcomes was compared independently for both men and women based on the administration of perioperative beta-blockade. Analysis was performed for the whole population and for the subset of patients who were not on preoperative beta-blockers (beta-blocker naïve). Risk-stratified analysis was used to determine which group received any effect from beta-blockade. Logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effect of perioperative beta-blockade in both sexes.
Results: There were 594 men and 366 women. The incidence of adverse outcomes was lower when beta-blockers were administered in men (12.6% v 18.9%, p = 0.04) but not in women (17.8% v 13.7%, p = 0.37). Among beta-blocker-naïve subjects, men had significant reductions in myocardial infarction and renal failure, whereas women did not have a reduction in the incidence of any outcome. After risk-stratification, the high-risk women who received beta-blockade had a statistically worse outcome (36.8% v 5.9%, p = 0.02) because of an increased incidence of CHF. By logistic regression, beta-blockade improved outcomes in men but not women.
Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis, women did not benefit from perioperative beta-blockade. Women at high risk appeared to have a worse outcome because of a higher incidence of CHF.