Postoperative Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Alterations After Carotid Body Tumor Excision: A Retrospective Study of 108 Cases

Background: Arising from chemoreceptor cells, carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms associated with hemodynamics. Postoperative changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) are not completely understood. Methods This retrospective, observational, controlled study included all CBT patients from 2013 to 2018 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Postoperative changes in BP/HR within or between unilateral/bilateral/control groups were investigated. Perioperative details across Shamblin types were also assessed. Results This study included 108 patients (116 excised CBTs). The postoperative systolic BP and HR increased in both unilateral and bilateral CBT patients compared with the preoperative measures. Compared with control group, the postoperative systolic BP increased (difference in the alteration = 6.3, 95% CI 3.5 ~ 9.0, p  < 0.001) in unilateral CBT patients; both systolic BP (difference in the alteration = 9.2, 95% CI 1.1 ~ 17.3, p  = 0.027) and HR (difference in the alteration = 5.3, 95% CI 1.0 ~ 9.6, p  = 0.016) increased in bilateral CBT patients. More CBT patients required extra antihypertensive therapy after surgery than controls (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.14 ~ 5.5, p  = 0.024). Maximum tumor diameter, intraoperative vascular injury, continuous vasoactive agent requirement, total fluid volume/transfusion, estimated blood loss, operation duration, postoperative pathology, overall complications, and intensive care unit/hospital lengths of stay significantly varied among Shamblin types. Conclusions CBT excision may be associated with subtle postoperative hemodynamic changes. Perioperative management of CBT patients necessitates careful assessment, full preparation and close postoperative monitoring.