BACKGROUND: Elderly Americans suffer increased mortality from sepsis. Given that beta-blockers have been shown to be cardioprotective in critical care, we investigated outpatient beta-blocker prescriptions and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries admitted for sepsis.

METHODS: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries for patients admitted with sepsis. We used in-hospital and outpatient prescription drug claims to compare in-hospital and 30-day mortality based on pre-admission beta-blocker prescription and class of beta-blocker prescribed using univariate tests of comparison and multivariable logistic regression models and another class of medications for control.

RESULTS: Outpatient beta-blocker prescription was associated with a statistically significant decrease in in-hospital and 30-day mortality. In multivariable modeling, beta-blocker prescription was associated with 31% decrease in in-hospital mortality and 41% decrease in 30-day mortality. Both cardioselective and non-selective beta-blockers conferred mortality benefit.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that there may be a role for preadmission beta-blockers in reducing sepsis-related mortality.