Pheochromocytoma induced cardiomyopathy in a young man: a case report

An Interesting Case of Treatment-Resistant Ventricular Tachycardia Secondary to Pheochromocytoma and Left Ventricular Non-compaction

A 51-year-old patient was admitted with chest pain and broad complex ventricular tachycardia. He received three consecutive direct cardioversion (DC) shocks and was commenced on amiodarone infusion via a central venous catheter or central line (CVC). He responded to treatment and normal sinus rhythm (NSR) was achieved. He had elevated troponin I and underwent coronary angiogram which initially was thought to be responsible for his ventricular tachycardia. Coronary angiogram (CAG) showed unobstructed coronary arteries. He was recently diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and was commenced on Phenoxybenzamine 10 mg two months back. He developed ventricular tachycardia (VT) again the next day that did not respond to four consecutive direct cardioversion shocks (DC) and antiarrhythmic medications. He was intubated and ventilated to terminate his VT and was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). He remained intubated for 48 hours and he remained in NSR, after which he was extubated. He was commenced on bisoprolol and was later stepped down to the coronary care unit (CCU). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) showed left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) or possibly myocarditis in view of patient's known history of pheochromocytoma. He was discussed with surgical team at another hospital for surgical resection of the adrenal tumor and had a few further runs of VT while he was waiting to be transferred. The patient finally underwent surgical resection of the tumor and was booked for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in view of his VT. This was an interesting case of treatment-resistant VT driven by pheochromocytoma and LVNC, and it is important to be familiar with the fact that conventional therapies may fail in these patients and may require intubation and ventilation to terminate VT storms.