The Pivotal Role of Antihypertensives in the Preoperative Management of Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors with the potential to undergo malignant changes. These tumors are associated with hemodynamic instabilities and may even lead to cardiomyopathy/heart failure due to catecholamine surge. Preoperative intervention with antihypertensives can curb the morbidity and mortality related to the tumor. Adrenergic receptor blockade is an effective preoperative modality. Phenoxybenzamine, along with metyrosine, should be considered a beneficial synergistic combination for a complication-free surgical intervention of the tumor. Standard preoperative therapeutic strategies and guideline protocols, such as the Roizen’s criteria, need to be established for a better overall outcome