Cardiac manifestations of pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of secondary hypertension which may have protean clinical presentations. Noteworthy, it may be revealed or complicated by cardiovascular symptoms Such as arrythmia, cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome and cardiogenic shock. These cardiac manifestations of pheochromocytoma may delay diagnosis and Must be known in order to provide the best chance at early detection. In some cases pheochromocytoma may be associated to a large apical dyskinesia of the left ventricule apex, tako-tsubo-like which is a reversible acute myocardiopathy. These acute cardiologic manifestations appear to be induced by a toxic effect of elevated catecholamine levels. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.