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Research Article

Hyperadrenergic syndrome in severe tetanus: extreme rise in catecholamines responsive to labetalol.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984; 288 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.288.6429.1483 (Published 19 May 1984) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;288:1483
  1. G M Domenighetti,
  2. G Savary,
  3. H Stricker

    Abstract

    The hyperadrenergic syndrome that occurs in tetanus is characterised by hypertension, tachycardia, and increased systemic arteriolar resistance. A 74 year old man with tetanus was found to have very high catecholamine concentrations--as high as those in phaeochromocytoma--and the fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate were measured to see whether they paralleled changes in the catecholamine values. A labetalol infusion of 0.25-1 mg/min gradually stabilised the cardiovascular disturbances and the patient recovered.

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