Search

Abstract Background Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors characterized by hemodynamic instability, caused by the paroxysmal release of catecholamines. Patients may develop cardiovascular complications in the perioperative phase due to the massive release of catecholamines, particularly during anesthetic induction and surgical manipulation of the tumor. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the risk factors involved in perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients who underwent surgery for chromaffin tumors. Methods Forty patients (median age 55 [36.50–64.50]) undergone surgery for PHEO/abdominal PGL from January 2011 to December 2016 at the AOU Careggi (Florence, Italy) were retrospectively evaluated. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure were considered at baseline and during surgery. Patients with blood pressure steadily 133 mmHg (OR = 6 CI95% 1.37–26.20, p = 0.017) and an intraoperative SBP and MBP levels of > 127 mmHg (OR = 28.80 CI95% 2.23–371.0, p = 0.010) and > 90 mmHg (OR = 18.90 CI95% 1.82–196.0, p = 0.014), respectively, were identified as effective thresholds to recognize patients at higher risk of HI. Conclusions A preoperative therapy with alpha-blockers is useful, but not sufficient to avoid surgical risks. Patients with higher pre-surgical levels of NMNur, pre-surgical SBP > 133 mmHg, and/or intraoperative SBP > 127 mmHg and MBP > 90 mmHg, should be carefully monitored. A multidisciplinary approach is indispensable to optimize the management of PHEOs/abdominal PGLs in order to reduce surgical complications.