Use of labetalol during anesthesia for pheochromocytoma removal

Labetalol, an alpha and beta adrenergic blocking drug, was used during anesthesia for removal of a very large pheochromocytoma which was predominantly epinephrine secreting. The 70-year-old female patient suffered from angina pectoris and chronic bronchitis. A preoperative treatment including an alpha-adrenolytic drug was administered but beta-adrenergic blockers were avoided because of the risk of cardiac decompensation and bronchoconstriction. During the operation, hypertensive peaks were easily controlled by bolus injections of labetalol 20 mg. The removal of the tumor was followed by a transient moderate hypotension. Heart rate remained stable throughout the operation. No hemodynamic problems occurred during the postoperative period. With regard to this case, a summary of the literature concerning the properties of labetalol is presented.