Beta-blockers improve outcomes after traumatic brain injury: Study

Written By : Medha Baranwal |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2021-02-02T22:15:45+05:30 | Updated On 3 Feb 2021 12:34 PM IST

China: The administration of B-blockers are safe and effective for traumatic brain injury (TBI), finds a recent review in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Therefore researchers suggest the use of B-blockers in TBI care.

TBI can trigger catecholamine surge and paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH), which can lead to poor outcome. Beta adrenergic receptor blockers (β-blockers) are potential therapeutic agents for the prevention of catecholamine surge and PSH, than can improve survival after TBI. The aim of the study by Liang Liu, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China, and colleagues was to investigate the effect of β-blockers on outcomes in TBI patients.

For the purpose, the researchers searched the online databases from inception to September 25, 2020 for randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, and observational studies that reported the effect of β-blockers on several outcomes after TBI. The outcomes included mortality, functional measures, and cardiopulmonary adverse effects of β-blockers (e.g. hypotension, bradycardia and bronchospasm).

The meta-analysis included a total of fifteen studies with 12721 patients.

Also Read: Brain imaging may predict PTSD after traumatic brain injury

Key findings of the study include:

Exposure to β-blockers after TBI was associated with a significant reduction in adjusted in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.39).
β-blockers significantly improved the long-term (≥6months) functional outcome (OR, 1.75).
Statistically significant difference was not seen for cardiopulmonary adverse events (OR, 0.91).

"This meta-analysis demonstrated that administration of β-blockers after TBI was safe and effective. Administration of β-blockers may therefore be suggested in the TBI care," wrote the authors. "However, more high-quality trials are needed to investigate the use of β-blockers in the management of TBI."

Also Read:Kidney injury in diabetic ketoacidosis linked to brain injury

"Beta-blockers for traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis," is published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

DOI: https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/9000/Beta_blockers_for_traumatic_brain_injury__a.97586.aspx

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgerybeta blockerstraumatic brain injury

Source : Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Medha Baranwal

MSc. Biotechnology

Medha Baranwal joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor in 2018 for Speciality Medical Dialogues. She covers several medical specialties including Cardiac Sciences, Dentistry, Diabetes and Endo, Diagnostics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences, and Radiology. She has completed her Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from DU and then pursued Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a working experience of 5 years in the field of medical research writing, scientific writing, content writing, and content management. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751