Pheochromocytoma associated ventricular tachycardia blocked with atenolol.
Ventricular tachycardia in patients with phenochromocytoma is rare. We report a patient with a norepinephrine-secreting extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma who had exercise induced ventricular tachycardia. Prior to diagnosis, the patient was treated with a selective beta 1 blocker, atenolol, which resulted in suppression of the dysrhythmia and amelioration of the hypertension. This is the first reported case of selective beta blockade suppressing ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a pheochromocytoma. Electrocardiographic abnormalities described in patients with pheochromocytoma are reviewed.
Michaels
R D
RD
Department of Internal Medicine, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20889-5000.
Hays
J H
JH
O'Brian
J T
JT
Shakir
K M
KM
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000652:urine
D001262:Atenolol; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine