William Scott Beattie

Dr. Beattie completed a B.Sc (Biology Major) from the University of Waterloo, Ontario (1974) a PhD from McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario (1981). He obtained his M.D. from McMaster University (1982) and his FRCPC in anesthesia (1987). Dr. Beattie held a staff anesthesiologist position in the Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University from 1988-2000. He joined the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network (2000) and holds the position of R. Fraser Elliott Chair in Cardiac Anesthesia. He was Deputy Anesthesiologist-in-Chief (2006-2011) and Director, Anesthesia Research (2004-2013). He holds the academic rank of Professor in the Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine.  Dr. Beattie is a member of numerous editorial boards and international research committees.  He has authored or co-authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications and holds multiple peer reviewed grants.  He is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in the area of perioperative outcomes research, cardio-vascular anesthesia, and research methodology. Dr. Beattie has also been invited to speak on these subjects at conferences and events globally. 

Research Synopsis

Post-operative complications are frequent, occurring in as many as 20% of elective surgical patients. This startling reality is generalizable to any database, research network, or country. There is no evidence that complication rates have improved with the adoption of Evidence Based Medicine. The scope of this problem is unrecognized by the medical community, funding agencies, or the public at large. Postoperative mortality accounts for more deaths annually than the combined mortality, heart attack, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Raising the awareness of these issues, and improving patient safety is a primary goal of our research program that includes national and international initiatives. This year  our collaborations will result in the establishment, of a Canadian National Anesthesia Incident Reporting System ( C.A.I.R.S) , in conjunction with the CAS. 

Recent Publications

1. Association of Intraoperative Hypotension with Acute Kidney Injury after Elective Noncardiac Surgery.Sun LY, Wijeysundera DN, Tait GA, Beattie WS. Anesthesiology. 2015 Jul 16.
2. Facing the uncomfortable truth: your choice of anesthesiologist does matter.Wijeysundera DN, Beattie WS.Anesth Analg. 2015 Mar;120(3):502-3.
3. Perioperative troponin elevation: always myocardial injury, but not always myocardial infarction. Nathoe HM, van Klei WA, Beattie WS. Anesth Analg. 2014 Nov;119(5):1014-6.
4. The safety of addition of nitrous oxide to general anaesthesia in at-risk patients having major non-cardiac surgery (ENIGMA-II): a randomised, single-blind trial.Myles PS, Leslie K, Chan MT, Forbes A, Peyton PJ, Paech MJ, Beattie WS, Sessler DI, Devereaux PJ, Silbert B, Schricker T, Wallace S; ANZCA Trials Group for the ENIGMA-II investigators. Lancet. 2014 Oct 18;384(9952):1446-54
5. The growing burden of perioperative heart failure.Beattie WS, Wijeysundera DN. Anesth Analg. 2014 Sep;119(3):506-8.

Appointments

Clinical Director, Perioperative Interactive Education (PIE), University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital (2006-present)
R. Fraser Elliott Chair of Cardiac Anesthesia, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital (2004-present)

Courses

Course Number:
Course Name: 1:1 teaching in the operating room