INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown patients with pheochromocytoma have a 14-fold higher rate of cardiovascular events than patients with essential hypertension. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old female was found to have elevated troponins and marked ST depression following elective hysterectomy. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization, and labile blood pressures with a narrow-complex tachycardia were noted during the procedure. No evidence of coronary artery disease or wall motion abnormality was found. After catheterization, the patient complained of abdominal pain with difficulty passing gas. CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a 4.3 x 5 cm left adrenal mass. Plasma metanephrines and 24-hour urine catecholamines suggested pheochromocytoma. She underwent left total adrenalectomy, and pathology confirmed pheochromocytoma. At 3-month follow-up, she was asymptomatic and required only one agent for blood pressure control. DISCUSSION: Suspecting pheochromocytoma in patients with an unexpected myocardialevent and labile hypertension can lead to prompt diagnosis and appropriate preoperative management as well as avoidance of unnecessary procedures.
INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown patients with pheochromocytoma have a 14-fold higher rate of cardiovascular events than patients with essential hypertension. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old female was found to have elevated troponins and marked ST depression following elective hysterectomy. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization, and labile blood pressures with a narrow-complex tachycardia were noted during the procedure. No evidence of coronary artery disease or wall motion abnormality was found. After catheterization, the patient complained of abdominal pain with difficulty passing gas. CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a 4.3 x 5 cm left adrenal mass. Plasma metanephrines and 24-hour urine catecholamines suggested pheochromocytoma. She underwent left total adrenalectomy, and pathology confirmed pheochromocytoma. At 3-month follow-up, she was asymptomatic and required only one agent for blood pressure control. DISCUSSION: Suspecting pheochromocytoma in patients with an unexpected myocardialevent and labile hypertension can lead to prompt diagnosis and appropriate preoperative management as well as avoidance of unnecessary procedures.
Authors: Alessadro Maloberti; Paolo Meani; Roberto Pirola; Marisa Varrenti; Marco Boniardi; Anna Maria De Biase; Paola Vallerio; Edgardo Bonacina; Giuseppe Mancia; Paola Loli; Cristina Giannattasio Journal: Cancer Biol Med Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 4.248