Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Sex-related differences in outcome after high-risk vascular surgery after the administration of
Robina Matyal1, Feroze Mahmood, Peter Panzica
1Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care and Pain Management, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. rmatyal@bidmc.harvard.edu
Insights
Beta-blockers may protect men after vascular surgery, but this study found no benefit for women. High-risk women receiving beta-blockers had worse outcomes, particularly increased congestive heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Beta-adrenergic-blocking medications are studied for cardioprotective effects in high-risk vascular surgery.
- Previous research primarily focused on men, with limited data on women's response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of perioperative beta-blockade in women undergoing high-risk vascular surgery.
- To compare outcomes between men and women receiving beta-blockers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of vascular surgery patients (infrainguinal focus).
- Adverse outcomes included myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), arrhythmia, renal failure, or death.
- Compared outcomes based on perioperative beta-blockade administration in men and women, including beta-blocker-naïve and risk-stratified subsets. Logistic regression used for independent effect determination.
Main Results:
- Beta-blockers reduced adverse outcomes in men (12.6% vs. 18.9%, p=0.04) but not in women (17.8% vs. 13.7%, p=0.37).
- In beta-blocker-naïve patients, men showed reduced myocardial infarction and renal failure; women did not experience outcome reduction.
- High-risk women receiving beta-blockers had worse outcomes (36.8% vs. 5.9%, p=0.02), primarily due to increased CHF.
Conclusions:
- Perioperative beta-blockade did not demonstrate benefit for women in this retrospective analysis.
- High-risk women may experience adverse effects, including increased congestive heart failure, when administered beta-blockers.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers