HYPERTENSION AND TACHYCARDIA DURING ADRENAL MANIPULATION

The purpose of this report is to draw attention to haemodynamic change s during intraoperative adrenal gland manipulation. Severe hypertensio n, ventricular tachycardia and subendocardial ischaemia occurred durin g the manipulation of adrenal gland in a patient who underwent live re lated donor nephrectomy. The patient responded well to intravenous lid ocaine. Plasma norepinephrine concentration was elevated at the time o f event. Further investigations after surgery excluded the possibility of phaeochromocytoma. In two years follow-up patient remains well. Su spicion for the cause of the event remains the excessive release of ca techolamines with manipulation of a normal adrenal gland. The presence of halothane might have contributed to the arrythmia.