Continuation versus discontinuation of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors before non-cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

A large number of patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries are on long-term use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The current guidelines regarding the continuation or discontinuation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAAS) inhibitors before noncardiac surgery are conflicting. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether continuing or withholding RAAS inhibitors before noncardiac surgery influences perioperative mortality and complications.

Methods

A thorough literature search was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from their inception up to August 30, 2024 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a random-effects model to pool odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The analysis included 16 studies with a total of 59,105 patients on RAAS inhibitors before noncardiac surgery. Withholding RAAS inhibitors was associated with a significantly lower incidence of intraoperative hypotension (OR = 0.49; 95 % CI = 0.29 to 0.83) and acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR = 0.88; 95 % CI = 0.82 to 0.95) than continuing the therapy. However, there was no statistically significant difference in reducing mortality (OR = 1.10; 95 % CI = 0.86 to 1.40), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR = 1.27; 95 % CI = 0.75 to 2.16), myocardial infarction (OR = 0.83; 95 % CI = 0.27 to 2.59) or stroke events (OR = 0.70; 95 % CI = 0.36 to 1.36) between the two groups.

Conclusion

Withholding RAAS inhibitors before noncardiac surgery reduces intraoperative hypotension and AKI with nonsignificant effects on mortality and MACE.