A patient with an unsuspected phaeochromocytoma survived elective coronary artery bypass grafting due to aggressive pharmacological therapy for episodes of severe hypertension during surgery. The favourable result was probably attributable to an early suspicion during surgery that a phaeochromocytoma may be present and the prompt commencement of aggressive pharmacological therapy. After tests which confirmed the presence of the tumour, the patient underwent surgery to remove a phaeochromocytoma from the right adrenal gland. He recovered uneventfully, his blood pressure returning to normal. Surgery on an unprepared patient with a phaeochromocytoma is hazardous and carries a high mortality.