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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
[Cardiomyopathy: first clinical manifestation of a pheochromocytoma--case report]
Artur Lopes1, Catarina Sousa, Maria José Correia
1Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. arturlop@gmail.com
Insights
Stress cardiomyopathy, mimicking heart attacks, can be caused by pheochromocytoma. This rare tumor producing catecholamines may present with cardiac symptoms, highlighting a crucial diagnostic link.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) clinically resembles acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- SCM involves left ventricular dysfunction, resolves completely, and lacks obstructive coronary artery disease.
- Catecholamine-mediated cardiotoxicity is the leading hypothesis for SCM pathophysiology.
Observation:
- Pheochromocytoma, a catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumor, can manifest with diverse cardiovascular effects.
- A case is presented where SCM was the initial clinical presentation of an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma.
Findings:
- The study highlights a direct link between pheochromocytoma and stress cardiomyopathy.
- This case demonstrates that pheochromocytoma can be the underlying cause of SCM.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is crucial in patients presenting with SCM.
- Considering pheochromocytoma in the differential diagnosis of SCM may improve patient outcomes.
- This association underscores the significant impact of catecholamine excess on cardiac function.
Abstract:
Stress cardiomyopathy clinical presentation mimics an acute coronary syndrome. It is characterized by left ventricular multi-segmental commitment, absence of significant coronary artery disease and by the complete resolution of all the findings. Its pathophysiology is not yet clear, but the main theory suggests a catecholamine-mediated cardiotoxicity mechanism. Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor producer of catecholamines with several cardiovascular manifestations. We report a case of stress cardiomyopathy that was the first clinical manifestation of an unknown pheochromocytoma.
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