Non-Selective Alpha-Blockers Provide More Stable Intraoperative Hemodynamic Control Compared with Selective Alpha1-Blockers in Patients with Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study with a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis from China

Intraoperative hemodynamic instability during laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma without preoperative medical preparation compared with nonsecreting tumor

BACKGROUND

Control of hemodynamic features during adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is recommended to minimize perioperative cardiovascular complications. However, episodes of intraoperative hemodynamic instability have been observed during adrenalectomies with other indications than pheochromocytoma. The objective of this study was to compare the hemodynamic instability score assessed during unilateral adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma without preoperative medical preparation to hemodynamic instability score in nonsecreting tumor.

METHODS

This was an observational study with prospective intraoperative hemodynamic data collection (every 20 seconds) and retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

During the study period, 60 consecutive patients (30 pheochromocytomas vs 30 nonsecreting tumors) were included with a median number of data collections during total procedure time of 318 (interquartile range, 257-388). Mean cumulative intraoperative time outside the target blood pressure range expressed as a percentage of total procedure time was 13.3% vs 6.8% for systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg (P = .01) and 2.4% vs 2.8% for mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg (P = ns), respectively. The median hemodynamic instability score during total procedure time was 33 (interquartile range, 27-43) and 20 (interquartile range, 11-26) in the pheochromocytoma and nonsecreting tumor group, respectively (P < .01). Hemodynamic instability score were similar in patients with compared with without long-term antihypertensive treatment in each patient group (P = ns). The mean length of hospital stay was 2.0 ± 1.5 days, and 30-day morbidity rate was 6.6% (4/60) with no significant difference observed between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Although intraoperative hemodynamic instability remains greater in the pheochromocytoma group without preoperative medical preparation, both groups have similar hypotensive episodes. These data highlight the need to better understand the role of preoperative medical preparation in pheochromocytoma patients.

Robot-assisted versus laparoscopic pheochromocytoma resection and construction of a nomogram to predict perioperative hemodynamic instability

BACKGROUND

Despite recent improvements in perioperative outcomes after pheochromocytoma resection, hemodynamic instability (HI) remained of high concern. The emergence of robot-assisted surgery may bring different results to pheochromocytoma surgery. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether robot-assisted retroperitoneal pheochromocytoma resection promotes hemodynamic instability compared with laparoscopic retroperitoneal pheochromocytoma resection and construct a nomogram to predict perioperative hemodynamic instability.

METHODS

The clinical data of 221 patients who underwent pheochromocytoma resection were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the mode of operation. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the independent risk factors of perioperative hemodynamic instability and to construct a visual prediction model. The final model was visualized via a nomogram.

RESULTS

124 (56.1 %) out of 221 patients experienced HI. The variables that were eventually included in the model were tumor size (OR1.363(1.143-1.646), P < 0.001), abnormal blood glucose (OR3.381(1.534-7.903), P = 0.003), preoperative SBP(OR1.04(1.014-1.067),P = 0.002), robot-assisted surgery(OR0.241(0.108-0.513),P < 0.001), and catecholamines(OR4.567(2.424-8.834),P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed the area under curve was 0.816(95 %CI 0.761-0.871).

CONCLUSION

We developed a nomogram for successful prediction of perioperative hemodynamics based on five independent risk factors. Clinicians can leverage this easy-to-use nomogram to perform personalized risk predictions for HI and develop preventive interventions to improve patient safety and surgical outcomes.

Pheochromocytoma-induced myocardial infarction: A case report

The pheochromocytoma is an uncommon endocrine neoplasm that originates from chromaffin cells and causes significant cardiovascular effects through the intermittent or sustained release of catecholamines. In this report, we present a rare case of myocardial infarction (MI) induced by pheochromocytoma. A 53-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a history of intermittent palpitations, back pain, and sweating for over 10 years, which had worsened over the past 2 days. The patient's cardiac enzymes and troponin levels were significantly elevated, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation, leading to an initial diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Echocardiography revealed apical ballooning, indicative of stress cardiomyopathy. Emergency coronary angiography revealed no significant stenosis, and the patient's blood pressure was fluctuating. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the adrenal gland revealed a bilateral adrenal mass, with the left adrenal mass being larger in size after contrast-enhanced CT scan. The patient's left adrenal gland was successfully removed through laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and histopathology results confirmed the presence of adrenal pheochromocytoma. Follow-up for 3 months after discharge showed the patient had no symptoms and good prognosis. The abnormal findings on echocardiography and ECG resolved. Prompt diagnosis and management of pheochromocytoma are crucial for a favorable prognosis.

Which surgical approach is more favorable for pheochromocytoma of different sizes (< 6 cm vs. ≥ 6 cm)? A single retrospective center experience

BACKGROUND

To compare the surgical effects of lateral transperitoneal approach (LTA) and posterior retroperitoneal approach (PRA) for pheochromocytoma of different sizes.

METHODS

Data on patients with pheochromocytoma from 2014 to 2023 were collected from our hospital. According to different surgical approaches and tumor size, all patients were divided into four groups: tumor size < 6 cm for LTA and PRA and tumor size ≥ 6 cm for LTA and PRA. We compared these two surgical methods for pheochromocytoma of different sizes.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients with pheochromocytoma underwent successful laparoscopic surgery, including PRA group (n = 80) and LTA group (n = 38). In tumor size < 6 cm, the outcomes were no significant difference in LTA and PRA. In tumor size ≥ 6 cm, there was a significant difference in operation time (214.7 ± 18.9 vs. 154.3 ± 8.2, P = 0.007) and intraoperative blood loss (616.4 ± 181.3 vs. 201.4 ± 45.8, P = 0.037) between LTA and PRA.

CONCLUSION

LTA and PRA were performed safely with similar operative outcomes in patients with pheochromocytoma size < 6 cm. While both LTA and PRA were executed with a commendable safety profile and comparable operative results in patients afflicted by pheochromocytomas < 6 cm, the PRA technique distinctly showcased advantages when addressing large-scale pheochromocytomas (≥ 6 cm). Notably, this manifested in reduced operative time, diminished intraoperative blood loss, decreased hospitalization expenses, and a paucity of procedural complications.

Abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after preoperative receipt of α-blockers in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma was not an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability

Background

There is no consensus on whether intravenous rehydration must be added after preoperative phenoxybenzamine (PXB) administration for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this study is to investigate whether abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after PXB administration is associated with intraoperative hemodynamic instability.

Methods

83 Patients with pheochromocytoma received surgical treatment in the Department of Urology, Handan First Hospital, between October 2014 and July 2022. All patients were subclassified into either the hemodynamic stability group (HS group) or the hemodynamic instability group (HU group) according to whether intraoperative hemodynamic instability occurred, with 51 cases in HS group and 32 cases in HU group. Differences in data between the two groups were examined, and the risk factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

The results of the analysis showed no statistically significant differences in age, sex, location of the tumor, surgical method, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m², blood and urine catecholamine test results, preoperative oral PXB followed by combined intravenous volume expansion, proportion of patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease between the two groups (P>0.05). The size of the tumor in the HS group was smaller than that in the HU group (5.3 ± 1.9 cm vs 6.2 ± 2.4 cm P=0.010). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after preoperative receipt of α-blockers in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma was not an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Only the tumor size (P=0.025) was an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability.

Conclusion

The purpose of general preoperative intravenous fluid expansion is to prevent hypotension after the tumor has been resected. In the current study, we indicated that preoperative management of pheochromocytomas using the α-blocker PXB in combination with intravenous volume expansion does not further reduce the risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability or postoperative complications compared with oral PXB alone. Therefore, our study supports preoperative management of pheochromocytoma with a single α-blocker, PXB, as sufficient.