[Nitroglycerin and anaesthesia in phaeochromocytoma (author's transl)]

Six patients who have undergone surgery for phaeochromacytoma have been separated in 2 groups. In group I (n = 3) a nitroglycerin infusion of 7.8 microgram . kg-1 . mn-1 has been used before the removal of the tumor and no vasodilator drug was infused in group II. During the dissection, mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in group I (129 +/- 12 mm Hg) than in group II (172 +/- 17 mm Hg) (p < 0.05). After removal of the tumor the decrease in mean arterial pressure was lower in group I than in group II. In group I the maximal rise in mean arterial pressure (73 +/- 18 mm Hg) was significantly reduced compared to group II (134 +/- 20 mm Hg). These results show that nitroglycerin is an interesting substance to decrease the variations of arterial blood pressure and this effect is important to prevent cardiac complications during and after surgery.