Perioperative beta-blockers for preventing surgery-related mortality and morbidity.

Background: Randomized controlled trials have yielded conflicting results regarding the ability of beta-blockers to influence perioperative cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thus routine prescription of these drugs in unselected patients remains a controversial issue.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to systematically analyse the effects of perioperatively administered beta-blockers for prevention of surgery-related mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing any type of surgery while under general anaesthesia.

Perioperative beta-blockers for preventing surgery-related mortality and morbidity.

Background: Randomized controlled trials have yielded conflicting results regarding the ability of beta-blockers to influence perioperative cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thus routine prescription of these drugs in unselected patients remains a controversial issue.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to systematically analyse the effects of perioperatively administered beta-blockers for prevention of surgery-related mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing any type of surgery while under general anaesthesia.

Markers of bone metabolism in premature myocardial infarction (≤ 40 years of age).

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at young age is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Bone metabolism parameters such as 1,25 (OH)₂ vitamin D₃, 25 (OH) vitamin D₃ and osteocalcin have been recently implicated in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). We evaluated the role of these serum markers in a study population of very young AMI survivors (≤ 40 years).

Familial-combined hyperlipidaemia in very young myocardial infarction survivors (< or =40 years of age).

Aims: Myocardial infarction (MI) in very young individuals is a rare disease associated with an unfavourable prognosis. Familial-combined hyperlipidaemia (FCHL) increases the risk for MI in individuals below 60 years; however, its role in very young MI patients below 40 years is not as well established. We investigated the prevalence and impact of FCHL in these very young MI patients.