Beta-Adrenergic-Antagonist Therapy for Hyperthyroid Graves' Disease

Five years ago Toft and co-workers described their experience with propranolol for preoperative therapy in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease.1 The results were excellent in terms of amelioration of the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism, minimal perioperative morbidity, and rapid return of thyroid hormone secretion to normal. What has been the impact of this form of preoperative therapy for the surgical treatment of this disease?In the ensuing years, several additional reports confirmed the efficacy and safety of preoperative therapy with propranolol or newer beta-adrenergic-antagonist drugs.2 3 4 The use of these agents allows surgery to be undertaken after one to . . .