Hypotension and adrenal insufficiency

This case conference describes two patients with hypotension who eventually were diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. The first patient was initially believed to have a cardiac abnormality and the second patient sepsis, which was causing the continued hypotension. Both patients exhibited several clinical similarities; however, neither had the classic symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. This report discusses the causes of postoperative hypotension, diagnostic testing, and treatment for patients with adrenal insufficiency, and briefly reviews the literature. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.