Failure of alpha-methyltyrosine to prevent hypertensive crisis in pheochromocytoma.

Abstract

Sudden onset of a hypertensive crisis occurred shortly after induction of anesthesia in a patient with malignant pheochromocytoma, despite preoperative medical preparation with alpha-methyltyrosine (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine) and propranolol hydrochloride. Other investigators have advocated alpha-methyltyrosine as the medical therapy of choice in the preoperative preparation of patients with pheochromocytoma. This case emphasizes the caution that should be exercised when using alpha-methyltyrosine preoperatively, without concurrent alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, to prevent intraoperative hypertensive crisis.

• Authors: C V Ram, R Meese, S C Hill
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 145 Issue 11 Pg. 2114-5 (Nov 1985) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2865938 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Catecholamines
• Methyltyrosines
• alpha-Methyltyrosine
• Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Topics

• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (physiopathology)
• Adult
• Catecholamines (biosynthesis)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (prevention & control)
• Methyltyrosines (administration & dosage)
• Pheochromocytoma (physiopathology)
• Premedication
• Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase (antagonists & inhibitors)
• alpha-Methyltyrosine