Lippincott Pharmacology Practice Exam 2025 - Free Pharmacology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Metoprolol is recommended to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias post-myocardial infarction due to its properties as a beta-blocker. After a myocardial infarction, the heart is often in a vulnerable state where arrhythmias can occur due to increased myocardial irritability and sympathetic stimulation.

Beta-blockers like metoprolol work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and decreases myocardial oxygen demand, which is particularly beneficial after an infarction. Additionally, metoprolol has been shown to stabilize cardiac electrical activity and reduce the incidence of both ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which are life-threatening arrhythmias.

The use of metoprolol in this context has been supported by clinical trials demonstrating a reduction in mortality and morbidity among patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. This makes metoprolol a critical agent in the post-infarction management plan to enhance recovery and prevent further cardiac events.