FRI211 Recurrent Hypertensive Crises In A Patient With A Large Pheochromocytoma; A Complicated Intensive Care Unit Course

Disclosure: S. Sokoloff: None. A. Iwamaye: None. Introduction: Hypertensive crisis is a well-known complication of surgery in patients with pheochromocytomas. However, as demonstrated in this case, these crises can be triggered by even routine intensive care unit procedures if sufficient alpha blockade has not been achieved. Thus, prevention of these episodes in the critical care setting presents a therapeutic challenge. Case: A 47-year-old female with a medical history of hypertension and intraductal papilloma presented for right lumpectomy for recent increase in papilloma size. General anesthesia and a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) were used. Intraoperatively, hypertensive crisis developed with systolic blood pressure of three hundred and oxygen saturation of forty percent. Hypoxia persisted after LMA was exchanged for endotracheal intubation and ECMO initiation was necessary to restore oxygenation. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and blood pressure normalized postoperatively. Echo showed normal ejection fraction with an incidental finding of a peri-hepatic mass. This prompted evaluation for pheochromocytoma, which was biochemically confirmed with plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine of 13,900 (<= 57 pg/mL) and 2,560 (<= 148 pg/mL), respectively. Abdominal CT-scan showed an 8.0 x 7.0 x 8.0 cm right adrenal mass. MIBG showed increased activity in the mass without evidence of metastatic disease. Doxazosin was initiated for alpha blockade. One week postoperatively, ECMO was weaned off and the patient was extubated. Shortly after extubation, a second hypertensive crisis occurred with an increase in systolic blood pressure to over two hundred and a decrease in oxygen saturation to forty percent. Re-intubation was unsuccessful and cricothyrotomy was required. Both nitroprusside and clevidipine failed to reduce blood pressure and a labetalol infusion was necessary to end the episode. The patient underwent surgery for cricothyrotomy to tracheostomy conversion two days later. By that point, labetalol had been weaned off and doxazosin had been titrated to three mg every twelve hours. A titratable IV phentolamine infusion was used for further alpha blockade intra-operatively and normotension was maintained. Over the next two weeks, adequate alpha blockade was achieved with titration of doxazosin dosage to thirteen mg two times daily. Uncomplicated adrenalectomy was then completed. Pathology showed a pheochromocytoma with retained SDHB, focal positivity for ACTH, and without capsular or vascular invasion. Conclusion: Routine critical care procedures such as extubation can trigger hypertensive crises in patients with pheochromocytomas. These episodes may be resistant to multiple intravenous anti-hypertensive agents. Titratable intravenous phentolamine can be used as a precautionary measure during necessary procedures if adequate alpha blockade with oral agents has not yet been achieved. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023