The paradox of hypotension and pheochromocytoma: a case report.
Pheochromocytomas produce, store and secrete catecholamines. Diagnosis is often suspected in young patients with severe hypertension. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman without a previous history of hypertension, whose initial presentation was cardiovascular shock. Despite early diagnosis of the disease, the fulminant evolution of the pheochromocytoma crisis was fatal a few hours after admission. Only a few therapeutic options remain when haemodynamic collapse is catecholamine induced.
De Wilde
Dimitri
D
Medical Intensive Care, Virga Jess Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium. dimitri.dewilde@tiscali.be
Velkeniers
Brigitte
B
Huyghens
Luc
L
Diltoer
Marc
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology*
D002395:Catecholamines