Table 1.

Guideline recommendations for initiation of perioperative β-blockade

Patient group	2007	2009
ACCF/AHA guidelines
Vascular surgery and ischaemia on preoperative testing	Class I	Class IIa with dose titration
Vascular surgery and established coronary artery disease	Class IIa	Class IIa with dose titration
Vascular surgery and more than one risk factor	Class IIa	Class IIa with dose titration
Intermediate-risk surgery and coronary artery disease or more than one risk factor	Class IIa	Class IIa with dose titration
ESC guidelines
Established coronary artery disease or ischaemia on preoperative stress testing		Class I, with dose titration
High-risk surgery		Class I, with dose titration
Intermediate-risk surgery		Class IIa, with dose titration

ACCF, American College of Cardiology Foundation; AHA, American Heart Association; ESC, European Society of Cardiology.