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Pheochromocytoma Hypertensive Crisis

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Endocrine Emergencies

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE,volume 74))

Abstract

Hypertensive crisis caused by pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma-related hypercatecholaminemia represents true endocrine emergency and associates with significant morbidity. Although rare, it is associated with potentially devastating complications and should be part of differential diagnosis in cases of treatment-resistant or paroxysmal hypertension, as well as hypertension of young patients. One also needs to remember that disease can be familial, can associate with multiple widely distributed tumors, as well as represent metastatic forms. Hypertensive crisis can be precipitated by numerous causes, including among others anesthesia, stress, exercise, and certain foods. While patients with known disease can be efficiently treated with aggressive regimen of α- and β-adrenergic or calcium-channel blockers and ultimately surgery, patients with unknown disease are the ones who develop acute severe hypertensive crisis during unrelated surgeries, manipulations in tumor areas, or physical/emotional stress. This calls for high degree of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma awareness and understanding that only rapid and intensive treatment can be efficient in management of these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of CT Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    Vitaly Kantorovich M.D.

  2. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Karel Pacak M.D., Ph.D., D.sc.

Authors
  1. Vitaly Kantorovich M.D.
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  2. Karel Pacak M.D., Ph.D., D.sc.
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Correspondence to Karel Pacak M.D., Ph.D., D.sc. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA

    Lynn Loriaux

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Kantorovich, V., Pacak, K. (2014). Pheochromocytoma Hypertensive Crisis. In: Loriaux, L. (eds) Endocrine Emergencies. Contemporary Endocrinology, vol 74. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-697-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-697-9_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-696-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-697-9

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