Early treatment of slow heart rate during surgery may cut need for blood pressure drugs

This study looked at 186 adults aged 50 and older having non-cardiac surgery. It compared giving atropine (a drug to speed up the heart) when the heart rate dropped below 60 beats per minute versus waiting until it dropped below 30 beats per minute. The goal was to see if earlier treatment reduced the amount of norepinephrine needed to keep blood pressure stable. The findings help guide how doctors manage slow heart rates during surgery.