Pheochromocytoma-induced reverse tako-tsubo with rapid recovery of left ventricular function

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma is a rare, catecholamine-secreting tumor of neuroendocrine cells. It has been documented to present atypically as myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure. We present the case of a patient who had transient cardiomyopathy with hypokinesia of the basal portions of the left ventricle and hyperkinesia of the apex triggered by a pheochromocytoma crisis similar to that of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, but with an inverse left ventricular contractile pattern (‘inverted tako-tsubo’). (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 5: 527-531)