Korean Circ J.  2009 Jun;39(6):254-257. 10.4070/kcj.2009.39.6.254.

Recurrent Catecholamine-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With a Pheochromocytoma

• Jang SY
• Yang DH
• Lee SH
• Kim JH
• Park SH
• Park HS
• Cho Y
• Chae SC
• Jun JE
• Park WH

• KMID: 1490702
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2009.39.6.254

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas presents with variable clinical manifestations. Cardiomyopathy caused by a pheochromocytoma is well known. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with recurrent left ventricular dysfunction, who was subsequently found to have a pheochromocytoma. The patient had two different patterns of cardiomyopathy. Patients with a cardiomyopathy, of non-specific origin, should have a pheochromocytoma ruled out.

Keyword

Cardiomyopathies; Catecholamines; Pheochromocytoma

MeSH Terms

Cardiomyopathies
Catecholamines
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pheochromocytoma
Ventricular Dysfunction, Left
Catecholamines

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Echocardiography showing akinesis of the basal and mid-ventricular segments, with preserved contractility of the apical segments. A: apical 4 chamber view of end-diastole (Left) and end-systole (Right). B: apical 2 chamber view of end-diastole (Left) and end-systole (Right).

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  Fig. 2 An enhanced abdominal computed tomographic scan. A: November. 14, 2000-2 cm left adrenal mass with central low density lesion (arrow). B: March 8, 2002-the left adrenal mass increased to 2.5 cm (arrow). C: September 3, 2004-The size of left adrenal mass was about 3 cm (arrow).

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  Fig. 3 Echocardiography performed in December of 2003 showing decreased motion of the apical and mid-segments, with preserved contractility of the basal segments. A: apical 4 chamber view of end-diastole (Left) and end-systole (Right). B: apical 2 chamber view of end-diastole (Left) and end-systole (Right). LA: left atrium, LV: left ventricular.

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  Fig. 4 I-131 MIBG scan performed 48 hours after isotope injection, shows increased tracer uptake in the left adrenal gland (arrow), and normal tracer activity in the liver and gastrointestinal tract (A and B). I-131 MIBG scan performed 72 hours after isotope injection, also shows increased uptake in the left adrenal gland (arrow, C). MIBG: metaiodobenzylguanidine.

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