Cardiovascular complications after non-cardiac surgery occur in one out of ten patients. All possible risk-reducing approaches including perioperative beta-blockade are warranted. Beta-blocker administration is based on the results of randomized controlled studies performed by Mangano et al. and Poldermans et al. However, new findings cast doubt on routine beta-blocker use. Current recommendations for perioperative beta-blockade for non-cardiac surgery are presented in this review.

        Key words: non-cardiac surgery - perioperative period - beta-blockade