Exaggerated cardiovascular response to anaesthesia - a case for investigation

We present a case of a 40-year-old woman who developed major cardiovascular complications during anaesthesia for an elective clipping of a cerebral ar teriovenous malformation. postoperative investigation confirmed the diagnos is of an adrenal phaeochromocytoma. In retrospect, it became apparent that she had experienced a series of potentially life-threatening events over a 20-year period all of which are known complications of phaeochromocytoma. T his case highlights the importance of investigating young patients who have unexpected and unexplained cardiovascular events during anaesthesia and su rgery.