Findings from a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty suggest that implementation of Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) guidelines may be associated with a reduction in mortality and other complications for patients who undergo elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). 

The authors reviewed data on 345,875 THA procedures from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. They found that by following the institution of SCIP guidelines, the overall mortality following cardiac complications decreased 41 percent there were also significant decreases in fatal cardiac complications, postoperative hypotension, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. The authors note that in the wake of evidence questioning their safety and efficacy, the SCIP guidelines were retired in 2015. However, they argue that "evidence supports continuation of perioperative beta-blockade in primary elective total adult hip and knee arthroplasty." Learn more...