Phaeochromocytoma and acute myocardial infarction.

Phaeochromocytoma is uncommonly associated with myocardial infarction. We present a patient who, despite established alpha adrenoceptor blockade, sustained an acute myocardial infarction and was found to have coronary artery disease. Indications for coronary revascularization were not met, and adrenalectomy was successfully performed four weeks later. Factors contributing to the myocardial infarction, the role of beta adrenoceptor blockade, the timing of adrenalectomy and the place of coronary revascularization are discussed.