Direct blood pressure monitoring in patients with pheochromocytoma.
In patients with pheochromocytoma, blood pressure was monitored continuously for 2 days using direct measurement techniques. Systolic blood pressure sometimes increased to more than 300 mmHg. These sudden elevations of blood pressure were associated with increased levels of plasma catecholamines. Pre-operative prazosin and propranolol therapy lowered mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure throughout the 2 day observation periods and was associated with decreased hematocrit levels. However, these agents did not prevent the rapid elevation of blood pressure.
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors