Which agent is primarily used for blood pressure control in pheochromocytoma cases?

In managing pheochromocytoma, which is characterized by the secretion of catecholamines leading to hypertension, phenoxybenzamine is the primary choice due to its unique properties as a non-selective, irreversible alpha-adrenergic antagonist. This helps in effectively reducing the excessive blood pressure caused by the tumor's catecholamine release.

Phenoxybenzamine works by blocking the alpha-adrenergic receptors, preventing catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine from exerting their vasoconstrictive effects. This action is crucial in controlling chronic hypertension associated with pheochromocytoma, as it facilitates vasodilation and results in lowered blood pressure.

While other medications such as labetalol, carvedilol, and metoprolol can be utilized for managing high blood pressure, they are not the first-line agents in the specific context of pheochromocytoma. Labetolol and carvedilol are primarily beta-blockers with varying levels of alpha-blocking activity, and metoprolol is a selective beta-1 blocker. These may contribute to blood pressure control but do not address the underlying issues related to the overproduction of catecholamines as effectively as phenoxybenzamine. Therefore, phenoxybenz