[Pheochromocytoma-induced dilated cardiomyopathy]. 1991

A Kjernsmo
Medicinska kliniken i Torsby.

Pheochromocytoma may mimic a variety of clinical syndromes which present a diagnostic challenge when blood pressure is normal. Occasionally the predominant manifestation of such a tumour is congestive heart failure. The article describes a 19 year-old adolescent with an advanced dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 0.20) which was finally proven to be induced by a noradrenaline-secreting tumour (urinary noradrenaline: 88,130 nmol/24 hours, ref. interval: less than 350) localized in his right adrenal medulla. In spite of normalization of urinary noradrenaline levels postoperatively the patient died within two weeks due to intractable biventricular failure. Even though pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy is regarded as potentially reversible after tumour resection, careful consideration is imperative to optimize the patients preoperative status. The article reviews the mechanisms involved in the development of the myocardial changes induced by pheochromocytoma, as well as therapeutic principles relating to the pre- and intraoperative stages of the disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010673 Pheochromocytoma A usually benign, well-encapsulated, lobular, vascular tumor of chromaffin tissue of the ADRENAL MEDULLA or sympathetic paraganglia. The cardinal symptom, reflecting the increased secretion of EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE, is HYPERTENSION, which may be persistent or intermittent. During severe attacks, there may be HEADACHE; SWEATING, palpitation, apprehension, TREMOR; PALLOR or FLUSHING of the face, NAUSEA and VOMITING, pain in the CHEST and ABDOMEN, and paresthesias of the extremities. The incidence of malignancy is as low as 5% but the pathologic distinction between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is not clear. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1298) Pheochromocytoma, Extra-Adrenal,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma,Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytoma, Extra Adrenal,Pheochromocytomas,Pheochromocytomas, Extra-Adrenal
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D002311 Cardiomyopathy, Dilated A form of CARDIAC MUSCLE disease that is characterized by ventricular dilation, VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION, and HEART FAILURE. Risk factors include SMOKING; ALCOHOL DRINKING; HYPERTENSION; INFECTION; PREGNANCY; and mutations in the LMNA gene encoding LAMIN TYPE A, a NUCLEAR LAMINA protein. Cardiomyopathy, Congestive,Congestive Cardiomyopathy,Dilated Cardiomyopathy,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, 1a,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, Autosomal Recessive,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, CMD1A,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, LMNA,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, With Conduction Defect 1,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, with Conduction Deffect1,Cardiomyopathy, Familial Idiopathic,Cardiomyopathy, Idiopathic Dilated,Cardiomyopathies, Congestive,Cardiomyopathies, Dilated,Cardiomyopathies, Familial Idiopathic,Cardiomyopathies, Idiopathic Dilated,Congestive Cardiomyopathies,Dilated Cardiomyopathies,Dilated Cardiomyopathies, Idiopathic,Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Idiopathic,Familial Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies,Familial Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy,Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies, Familial,Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy, Familial,Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathies,Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000310 Adrenal Gland Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the ADRENAL GLANDS. Adrenal Cancer,Adrenal Gland Cancer,Adrenal Neoplasm,Cancer of the Adrenal Gland,Neoplasms, Adrenal Gland,Adrenal Cancers,Adrenal Gland Cancers,Adrenal Gland Neoplasm,Adrenal Neoplasms,Cancer, Adrenal,Cancer, Adrenal Gland,Cancers, Adrenal,Cancers, Adrenal Gland,Neoplasm, Adrenal,Neoplasm, Adrenal Gland,Neoplasms, Adrenal
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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