Reversible catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy in a heart transplant candidate without persistent or paroxysmal hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Both dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have been reported in patients with pheochromocytoma, who were almost always hypertensive. The outcome frequently has been fatal, yet cardiac dysfunction can be reversible after medical or surgical therapy for the pheochromocytoma.


METHODS
We report the case of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy without persistent or paroxysmal hypertension, who was found to have a pheochromocytoma during initial medical evaluation.


RESULTS
The identification and treatment of the pheochromocytoma led to significant improvement in cardiac function and cardiac transplantation was avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates some unusual features in pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy: (1) absence of persistent or paroxysmal hypertension, (2) initial presentation with acute myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries, and (3) recurrent episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.
Brilakis
E S
ES
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Young
W F
WF
Wilson
J W
JW
Thompson
G B
GB
Munger
T M
TM
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000209:etiology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000209:etiology
D002395:Catecholamines