Pheochromocytoma-Induced Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Pheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor with a prevalence of 0.1% to 0.6% in hypertensive patients. The classic triad of symptoms is headache, palpitations, and diaphoresis, but clinical presentation varies greatly. Pheochromocytoma can also mimic acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. With surgical resection, appropriate preoperative medical therapy, and 10% malignancy rate, prognosis is usually good. In the present case, a patient presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggesting a non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and was transferred to a tertiary medical center for a cardiac catheterization. No coronary artery disease was found. However, cardiomyopathy developed, which made pheochromocytoma difficult to diagnose at first glance.