Noradrenaline producing phaeochromocytomas with absent pressor response to beta-blockade.
In 2 patients with phaeochromocytoma, effective beta-blockade was obtained with propranolol (40 mg twice a day for 3 days) or acebutolol (400 mg twice a day for 3 days) without any effect on the blood pressure. In both patients the excretion of noradrenaline predominated over that of adrenaline, a picture found in most cases of phaeochromocytoma. A hypertensive response to beta-blockade might be expected in patients with an adrenaline-secreting tumour. It cannot be a regular event or constitute a diagnostic test in patients with suspected phaeochromocytoma.
D000070:Acebutolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
D000070:Acebutolol; D011433:Propranolol; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine