Effect of beta blockers after coronary artery bypass in postinfarct patients: what can we learn from available literature?

Studies have shown that beta adrenergic antagonist therapy benefits patients with coronary disease through reduced mortality rate after acute myocardial infarction and reduced incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. The long-term benefit of this therapy in survivors of myocardial infarction who are subsequently revascularized, however, has not been defined or studied rigorously. We reviewed the published data to clarify the role of beta blockade in patients who had surgical revascularization after myocardial infarction. We found that patients who received beta blockers after myocardial infarction had a reduced mortality rate and fewer cardiac events in most clinical situations, a benefit which likely extends to patients who have had subsequent surgical revascularization.