Dexamethasone-induced cardiogenic shock rescued by Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support (PCPS) in a patient with pheochromocytoma

Abstract

A 52-year-old man with pheochromocytoma had cardiogenic shock and was rescued using a percutaneous cardiopulmonary supporting system. After recovery, diagnostic tests including metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and computed tomography, revealed the pheochromocytoma which was confirmed by histology. It was postulated that the acute episode was induced by intra-joint dexamethasone, which increased the production of epinephrine and augmented the sensitivity of cardiomyocytes for catecholamine, thereby inducing the cardiomyopathy.