Quick question re Lopressor

Published

Is it usual for a patient to be on Lopressor 1 1/2 years post

triple bypass? My understanding is that it is used post op

to decrease bp and hr to allow the grafts to heal.

The patient is 80 years old and on no other meds. No past hx

of heart attacks or chest pain, and no other medical condtions.

BP 120-110/78-60 range HR 56-62

Not asking for medical advice, but what your experience has been

with Lopressor.

Thanks!

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

You gave his BP range but what would his BP be without the metoprolol? The other possibility is he takes it to steady his golf hand.

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You gave his BP range but what would his BP be without the metoprolol? The other possibility is he takes it to steady his golf hand.

Thanks for the reply. No past history of high blood pressure.

Currently, on Lopressor 25mg/day. My sense is that it should have

been d/c at some point, but the new Dr kept ordering it.

The Dr has not given the patient a reason why he should still be on it.

Perhaps my friend should take up golf! ;)

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does your patient have a history of afib....we use it for afi also and we give a low dose 12.5 to all our thoracic's to decrease chanse of flipping to afib

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does your patient have a history of afib....we use it for afi also and we give a low dose 12.5 to all our thoracic's to decrease chanse of flipping to afib

Thanks for the reply-no hx of afib or other arrythmias.

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Current Core Values require a pt be placed on a beta blocker, an anti-coagulent, minimally, post MI. This reduces the inicidence of recurrence of infarction. Addtionally the pt cold be placed on an ACE inhib or and Alpha-Beta adernergic blocker, and , if deemed medically necessary, an anti-dysrythmic.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

Once the patient has had an MI or CABG it is the gold std of care for lopressor and to stay on it. For prevention of further cardiac problems. So yes they would be on it indefinitely.

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If he has a component of cardiomyopathy/CHF, it is also a core measure for the patient to be on a beta-blocker. I think many docs do it with any patient with history of coronary artery disease, because it minimizes many risks. My two cents.

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Specializes in MSc in Anesthetics.
Once the patient has had an MI or CABG it is the gold std of care for lopressor and to stay on it. For prevention of further cardiac problems. So yes they would be on it indefinitely.

yeap i agree with this.

once a patient has had either of the two they are far more likely to have a lethal complication one being deadly arrythmias - lopressor is used for prevention!!!:wink2:

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:heartbeat Hello out there!

I'm new to cardiac nursing. My backround is neuroscience and the only overlap is with stroke due to afib. I'm looking for inservices, web sites online education. I would love to do an off site new to cardiac care seminar. Anyone have some leads? Also, I am running a coumadin clinic and the nurse that was here before me just did pt/inr and wrote them on a flowsheet. I'm sure that this isn't enough for the joint commission. Shouldn't there be standard of knowlege the pt's need to meet and documentation to support that. I've recently done up a checklest and goals for education the pt's need to meet. Ideas and suggestions appriciated.

Thanks

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You might visit the Medscape.com website. They have a cardiovascular page that links to the latest standards of care for various conditions. Lots of good answers on beta-blockers, ACE/ARBs etc. A good understanding will help you with patient education efforts also.

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

usually forever. grafts and stents do not last forever.

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