Pheochromocytoma complicated with cardiomyopathy after delivery--a case report and literature review

Korean J Intern Med. 1998 Jul;13(2):117-22. doi: 10.3904/kjim.1998.13.2.117.

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy is very rare but it is associated with very high maternal and fetal mortality. Therefore, it is important to include pheochromocytoma in the differential diagnosis of hypertension associated with pregnancy. It is difficult to make a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy before delivery. The characteristic symptoms of pheochromocytoma could be initiated during delivery because the process of delivery, general anesthesia, fetal movement, induce acute surge of catecholamine release, which could also induce cardiomyopathy. Early diagnosis and intensive care can affect the prognosis of cardiomyopathy induced by pheochromocytoma. Proper management with alpha-blockade, beta-blockade and angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor could acutely reverse the course of cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Adult
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomyopathies / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / etiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / surgery
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents