Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support

A 25-year-old woman presented with pheochromocytoma crisis and cardiogenic shock. Her ejection fraction was severely reduced at 10%, and she needed venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for hemodynamic support. Coronary angiography demonstrated diffuse coronary vasospasm as the...

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Main Authors: Justin Brilliant, Sarah Leventhal, Mark Vesely, Brian Barr, Manjula Ananthram
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2025-01-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0464
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author Justin Brilliant
Sarah Leventhal
Mark Vesely
Brian Barr
Manjula Ananthram
author_facet Justin Brilliant
Sarah Leventhal
Mark Vesely
Brian Barr
Manjula Ananthram
author_sort Justin Brilliant
collection DOAJ
description A 25-year-old woman presented with pheochromocytoma crisis and cardiogenic shock. Her ejection fraction was severely reduced at 10%, and she needed venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for hemodynamic support. Coronary angiography demonstrated diffuse coronary vasospasm as the underlying mechanism for her cardiogenic shock. Her ejection fraction improved with nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for treatment of epicardial coronary vasospasm. Her adrenal crisis was treated with sequential use of alpha-blockers followed by beta-blockers after resolution of cardiogenic shock; a right adrenalectomy was then performed before discharge. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of a pheochromocytoma complicated by cardiogenic shock when mechanical circulatory support is essential.
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spelling doaj-art-0c6399a3d0324540840be9e4badd1fe82025-08-20T03:18:48ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642025-01-014110.7326/aimcc.2024.0464Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory SupportJustin Brilliant0Sarah Leventhal1Mark Vesely2Brian Barr3Manjula Ananthram41University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandA 25-year-old woman presented with pheochromocytoma crisis and cardiogenic shock. Her ejection fraction was severely reduced at 10%, and she needed venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for hemodynamic support. Coronary angiography demonstrated diffuse coronary vasospasm as the underlying mechanism for her cardiogenic shock. Her ejection fraction improved with nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for treatment of epicardial coronary vasospasm. Her adrenal crisis was treated with sequential use of alpha-blockers followed by beta-blockers after resolution of cardiogenic shock; a right adrenalectomy was then performed before discharge. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of a pheochromocytoma complicated by cardiogenic shock when mechanical circulatory support is essential.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0464
spellingShingle Justin Brilliant
Sarah Leventhal
Mark Vesely
Brian Barr
Manjula Ananthram
Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
title_full Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
title_fullStr Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
title_full_unstemmed Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
title_short Pheochromocytoma in a Postpartum Patient With Cardiogenic Shock From Epicardial Vasospasm Necessitating Mechanical Circulatory Support
title_sort pheochromocytoma in a postpartum patient with cardiogenic shock from epicardial vasospasm necessitating mechanical circulatory support
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0464
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