Phaeochromocytomas as a cause of hypotension.

A patient presented with apparent septicaemic shock. Full invasive cardiovascular monitoring revealed systemic hypotension, high normal cardiac output, and a low systemic vascular resistance. Maintenance of systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure was shown to be highly dependent on noradrenaline. Subsequent investigation revealed the presence of a phaeochromocytoma producing adrenaline. The mechanisms by which phaeochromocytomas may produce hypotension are discussed.