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.