title: 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.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meese
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011292:Premedication; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D008781:Methyltyrosines; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase