A 53-year-old male undergoing emergency aortic valve replacement for
infective endocarditis developed a hypertensive crisis early during the
operation. Suspecting a pheochromocytoma, intravenous phentolamine was
immediately administered, after which the procedure was completed as
scheduled. Although quite rare, a pheochromocytoma can be encountered
during emergency open heart surgery, thus early recognition of abnormal
blood pressure change and appropriate management are important. Here, we
present details of blood pressure control mainly by phentolamine use in
this case to demonstrate effective management of a hypertensive crisis
during emergency cardiac surgery because of a pheochromocytoma.