Which medication is indicated for general anesthesia management in a patient on chronic high-dose beta blockers?

The medication indicated for general anesthesia management in a patient on chronic high-dose beta blockers is phenylephrine. In patients who are on chronic high-dose beta blockers, their physiological response to stressors, including anesthesia, may be altered. Beta blockers can blunt the heart rate response to hypotension, leading to an increased risk of perioperative hypotension.

Phenylephrine is a selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonist that primarily causes vasoconstriction and can effectively increase blood pressure in the setting of hypotension. It is particularly useful in countering the potential hypotensive effects that may occur during general anesthesia, especially when a patient has reduced heart rate response due to beta blocker therapy.

While atropine is an anticholinergic used to increase heart rate, it does not directly address hypotension. Furosemide is a diuretic that manages fluid overload but does not have a role in managing blood pressure in the context of anesthesia. Sevoflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent but does not specifically address the hemodynamic concerns related to a patient on beta blockers. Therefore, phenylephrine's role as a vasopressor makes it the most appropriate choice.