Pheochromocytoma, “the Great Masquerader,” Presenting as Severe Acute Decompensated Heart Failure in a Young Patient

A 22-year-old man presented to the hospital with progressive shortness of breath, chest discomfort, sinus tachycardia, and emesis. The echocardiogram demonstrated global hypokinesis with a left ventricle ejection fraction of 15–20%. The patient was treated for acute systolic heart failure decompensa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hans A. Reyes, Jason J. Paquin, David M. Harris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2018-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8767801
Description
Summary:A 22-year-old man presented to the hospital with progressive shortness of breath, chest discomfort, sinus tachycardia, and emesis. The echocardiogram demonstrated global hypokinesis with a left ventricle ejection fraction of 15–20%. The patient was treated for acute systolic heart failure decompensation with diuresis and afterload reduction. Unexpectedly, an abdominal computed tomography showed a left adrenal mass and subsequent serum/urine metanephrine tests suggested pheochromocytoma. Once the patient had stabilized, he underwent an uneventful adrenalectomy with histology results confirming the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. After six months follow-up, he is currently doing well with close outpatient follow-up by cardiology.
ISSN:2090-6404
2090-6412