# An audit of postoperative haemodynamic stability after intraoperative labetalol administration in non-cardiac surgery patients

## TL;DR

This audit found that using small doses of labetalol during non-cardiac surgery is generally safe, with low risks of postoperative hypotension and bradycardia.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the safety of intraoperative labetalol boluses in non-cardiac surgery patients.

## Key findings

- 10% of patients experienced all-cause postoperative hypotension within 24 hours.
- 5% of patients developed bradycardia after labetalol administration.
- No deaths or ICU admissions were attributed to labetalol use.

## Abstract

Anaesthesiologists commonly use intravenous labetalol to adjust patient haemodynamics during surgical procedures. Cases of profound hypotension after continuous labetalol infusions have been reported; however, there is limited evidence regarding the safety of intraoperative labetalol boluses. This audit examined the frequency of postoperative hypotension and bradycardia in 292 adult non-cardiac surgery patients treated with intraoperative labetalol boluses. Blood pressure and heart rate data were collected from the post-anaesthesia care unit and on the floor units for 24 hours after surgery. The median total intraoperative labetalol dose was 10mg. A total of 30/292 patients had all-cause postoperative hypotension within 24 hours of surgery, 26 of which had other medical or surgical precipitants. Fifteen patients developed bradycardia. There were no deaths or intensive care unit admissions attributed to labetalol. This audit demonstrates a low risk of all-cause postoperative hypotension (10%) and bradycardia (5%) after the use of small IV doses of intraoperative labetalol.