SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2013
Beta-blockers for preventing stroke recurrence.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness and safety of beta blockers in the management of hypertension in older adults: a systematic review to help reduce inappropriate prescribing.BMC geriatrics · 2017Pooled it
- Peripheral vasoconstriction induced by β-adrenoceptor blockers: a systematic review and a network meta-analysis.British journal of clinical pharmacology · 2016Pooled it
- 2014 ACC/AHA guideline on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines. Developed in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, and Society of Vascular Medicine Endorsed by the Society of Hospital Medicine.Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology · 2015Guideline
- Phytochemical Analysis and Neuroprotective Effect ofPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Association of migraine treatments with reduced ischemic stroke risk: Evidence from two large-scale real-world data analyses.Headache · 2025Article
- Stroke Risk Reduction in Migraine Patients Using Propranolol: Evidence from Two Large-Scale Real-World Data Analyses.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2024Article
- Metabolomics: A useful tool for ischemic stroke research.Journal of pharmaceutical analysis · 2023Review
- Androgens' effects on cerebrovascular function in health and disease.Biology of sex differences · 2020Review
- An assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for non-communicable diseases (NCDs): more and higher quality research is required in less developed countries.Scientific reports · 2015Article
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundStroke affects 15 million people per year worldwide. Despite recent developments in acute stroke treatment, prevention remains very important. Stroke has a high rate of recurrence; therefore secondary prevention is also important. Many clinical approaches to control risk factors have been proposed. One of these approaches is the prescription of beta-blockers that have effects beyond the reduction of blood pressure, which can reduce the recurrence of stroke.
objectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of beta-blockers for preventing stroke recurrence and for reducing death and major vascular events in people with a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and to determine their safety, particularly with regard to the development of diabetes mellitus. SEARCH
methodsWe searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (December 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 12), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (December 2011), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2011), EMBASE (1980 to December 2011), and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) (1982 to December 2011). We also searched ongoing trials registers and reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that included participants with previous stroke or TIA due to arterial thrombosis or embolism.The intervention was any beta-blocker versus control, or beta-blocker plus other treatment versus other treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the trials identified, appraised quality, and extracted data. MAIN
resultsWe included two RCTs involving 2193 participants in the review. Both studies randomised participants to either beta-blocker (atenolol 5 mg) or placebo. No statistical differences were noted among the groups in risks of fatal and non-fatal stroke (risk ratio (RR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 1.17). For all other outcomes analysed (death from all causes, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, major vascular events), we observed no significant differences between the groups. AUTHORS'
conclusionsTo date, no available evidence supports the routine use of beta-blockers for secondary prevention after stroke or TIA. More studies with larger samples are needed.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.