Abstract
Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumour of the adrenal gland that secretes an excessive amount of catecholamines, leading to a rapid rise and fall in blood pressure, headache, sweating and palpitations. The clinical scenario of pheochromocytoma, however, may be extremely variable and may include atypical cardiovascular manifestations, eventually leading to delays or mistakes in diagnosis. This issue is crucial since a missed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma may imply fatal consequences. This article reports a case of pheochromocytoma presenting with quite atypical cardiovascular manifestations such as transient left ventricular dysfunction and ventricular tachycardia. The pathophysiological determinants underlying uncommon clinical presentations of pheochromocytoma are also discussed. Received for publication 19 May 2011; accepted for publication 10 June 2011.
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications
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Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
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Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / therapy
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Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / urine
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Adrenalectomy
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Adrenergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
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Adult
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Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
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Biomarkers / urine
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Blood Pressure*
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Electrocardiography
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Epinephrine / urine
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Humans
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Hypertension / diagnosis
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Hypertension / etiology*
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Hypertension / physiopathology
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Hypertension / therapy
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Male
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Norepinephrine / urine
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Pheochromocytoma / complications
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Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
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Pheochromocytoma / therapy
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Pheochromocytoma / urine
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Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
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Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology*
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Time Factors
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Treatment Outcome
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnosis
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology*
Substances
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Adrenergic Antagonists
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Antihypertensive Agents
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Biomarkers
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Norepinephrine
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Epinephrine