The histological features of a myocardial biopsy specimen in a patient in the acute phase of reversible catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy due to pheochromocytoma

Abstract

A 63-year-old Japanese woman with an adrenal tumor was transferred to our hospital due to cardiogenic shock. Right and left ventriculography showed severe hypokinesis of the middle segment and the apex in both ventricles, and an endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated a small number of necrotic myocytes and cellular infiltration. She was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and quickly recovered after treatment with an α-blocker. The functional disability of both the right and left ventricles with less myocardial damage due to an excessive level of catecholamine seemed to be related to the early recovery the present patient with catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy due to pheochromocytoma.