Cardiovascular Pharmacology: An Update and Anesthesia Considerations

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has always been a priority because of the huge potential market for these drugs. These medications should be part of the anesthesiologist's armamentarium because the typical surgical patient is older and has more comorbidities than in the past. This article reviews commonly used cardiovascular medications that are important in managing patients with unstable hemodynamics.