Administration of B-blockers may reduce mortality in critically ill patients.

A recent systematic review has found that in critically ill patients administering β-blockers appeared safe and reduced the mortality rate after initial hemodynamic stabilization. The study was published in the journal Annals of Medicine.' 

Critical illnesses like trauma, sepsis, etc. may lead to sympathetic system activation due to hemodynamic, metabolic, and other immunomodulatory changes. Exogenous catecholamines, such as vasopressors and inotropes may further increase sympathetic stimulation. Organ dysfunction and higher mortality were noticed with excessive adrenergic stress. β-Blockers may reduce the adrenergic burden, but they may also compromise perfusion to vital organs thus worsening organ dysfunction. Hence, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of treatment with β-blockers in critically ill adults. 

Using keywords databases like Ovid Medline, the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, and Scopus were searched.  As per the eligibility criteria, two independent reviewers screened, selected, and assessed the included articles. The risk of bias in eligible articles was assessed according to the Cochrane guidelines. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.