['Depressed myocardial contractility, although rarely reported in pheochromocytoma, might be underestimated. It may be a determinant of perioperative risk during adrenal surgery.', 'We prospectively studied consecutive patients with pheochromocytoma; myocardial function examined by standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography was compared with matched control subjects. The incidence of hemodynamic collapse during adrenal surgery was measured.', 'A total of 15 patients were included (8 men, 46 [17] years, hypertension in 10). All but one had a normal left ventricular ejection fraction. However, compared with control subjects, they had a depressed systolic strain rate (SR) (1.8 [2.1] vs 4.1 [2.2] s(-1), P = .007). Furthermore, 6 of 8 patients with systolic SR less than 2 s(-1) experienced intraoperative collapse, versus 1 of 7 with SR greater than 2 s(-1) (P = .041). No association was observed with other variables.'] Is reduced myocardial contractility assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiography associated with increased risk during adrenal surgery of patients with pheochromocytoma : report of a preliminary study?