Preoperative Factors Associated with Intraoperative Maximum Arterial Pressures in Patients with Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

BACKGROUND: Surgery for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) can lead to life-threatening complications, such as intraoperative hypertensive crises, even when adequate doses of preoperative α-receptor blockades are administered. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors associated with intraoperative maximum arterial pressure (AP) in patients with PPGL. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 61 PPGL patients who underwent surgical resection in our hospital between 2006 and 2020. The primary outcome was intraoperative maximum AP as a single index for continuous variables. Simple and multiple linear regression model were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median maximum systolic AP during surgery was 165 mmHg (interquartile range: 150 - 180 mmHg). Log24-h urinary-fractionated metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN) was correlated with intraoperative maximum AP (R-squared = 0.218, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that diabetes mellitus, one or more of the classic triad, and log24-h urinary-fractionated MN and NMN were independent factors associated with intraoperative maximum AP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PPGL accompanied by diabetes mellitus, one or more of the classic triad, and high log 24-h urinary-fractionated MN and NMN values may be at risk for hypertensive crises during surgery regardless of whether preoperative α-receptor blockades are used. Clinicians should manage these patients more carefully and effectively.