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Safety of intravenous β‐adrenoceptor blockers for computed tomographic coronary angiography
Author(s) -
Clayton Benjamin,
Raju Vikram,
Roobottom Carl,
MorganHughes Gareth
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/bcp.12516
Subject(s) - metoprolol , medicine , adverse effect , computed tomographic angiography , angiography , anesthesia , computed tomographic , population , cardiology , radiology , computed tomography , environmental health
Aims To assess the safety of our clinical practice using off‐label intravenous metoprolol to facilitate computed tomographic ( CT ) coronary angiography. Methods A retrospective analysis of scan reports and hospital admissions data was conducted to identify adverse events occurring following CT coronary angiography in patients who had received intravenous metoprolol prior to the scan. Results A total of 3098 patients were included, of whom 1871 received intravenous metoprolol. Nine hundred and one patients received more than 15 mg and 129 patients received metoprolol despite a resting heart rate <65 beats min −1 . There was a single adverse incident, comprising transient loss of consciousness. Conclusions The use of intravenous metoprolol to facilitate cardiac CT scanning appears safe. Dose limits recommended for other indications, generally in acutely unwell patients, may not need to be as stringent in this population.