Managing Patient’s Medications (Diabetes, Beta Blockers, NSAIDs, Anticoagulants)

Abstract

Most patients undergoing surgery take medications on a daily basis. As our population ages, the number of patients on more than one chronic medication is increasing. Most of these medications are being taken for chronic medical populations, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and diabetes. Oftentimes, surgeons and internists need to decide which medications should be continued in the perioperative period and which medications should be discontinued. Within the literature, there is little outcome data about the vast majority of medications patients take in the perioperative period. The decision to continue or discontinue a medication is also often determined by the conflicting concerns of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and internists. Therefore, there are varied management strategies due to lack of medical evidence. This chapter will focus on some of the most common medications. The recommendations are based on expert opinion and meta-analyses.