12262 Pheochromocytoma Masquerading As An Acute Myocardial Infarction And Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy In A Hispanic Woman: A Case Report
Authors: Hoskote Abhinav , Seidenberg Jacob , Gupta Vishal 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: A. Hoskote: None. J. Seidenberg: None. V. Gupta: None.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor (&lt;1 per 100,000 person-years) that occurs sporadically or due to mutations. While most patients do not have the classic headache, sweating and tachycardia, about 50% have paroxysmal hypertension and 90% have headaches. We present a rare case of pheochromocytoma masquerading as myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiomyopathy. A 67-year-old Hispanic female with history of hypertension and uncontrolled Type 2 DM, presented to the ER for chest pain and diaphoresis. Home medications were metformin, sitagliptin, lisinopril, simvastatin and aspirin. EKG showed non-specific ST elevations in chest leads without STEMI, and labs revealed a dynamic troponin and hemoglobin A1C of 13.6%. CT angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism. A left heart catheterization and echocardiogram revealed non obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%, apical ballooning and a laminar thrombus. She was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and discharged on metoprolol and apixaban. During our evaluation 7 months later, we noted several ER and hospital admissions for symptomatic hypertensive emergency with a pattern of labile blood pressures and on review of initial CT scan, a sequentially growing left adrenal mass (3.9cm 29HU) was present. A careful history using Spanish interpretation revealed episodic headaches, diaphoresis and palpitations. Subsequently, on two separate occasions, plasma normetanephrine was 2006 pg/mL (ULN&lt;148 pg/mL) and urine normetanephrine was 12516 mcg/g cr (ULN &lt;524 mcg/g cr). Prazosin was prescribed with stabilization of hypertension. An adrenalectomy is now scheduled. Symptoms of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGs) are caused by hypersecretion of one or combinations of catecholamines: norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. In one study 27% were discovered due to symptoms while 61% were found incidentally. PPGs occur in up to 1:500 patients with arterial hypertension and can also be a secondary cause of diabetes. MI and acute or chronic cardiomyopathy are rare presenting features of PPGs. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is the most common phenotype. In one acute MI study, Hispanic women were significantly more likely to receive delayed care as compared to non-Hispanic women, due to misinterpretation of symptoms by patients and providers. A meticulous history with formal interpretation in patients with limited English proficiency can lead to prompt diagnosis of this surgically curable cause of hypertension. Pheochromocytomas rarely present as acute myocardial infarction and stress cardiomyopathy. A high suspicion for PPGs must be maintained in patients with labile hypertension, cardiomyopathy and an incidental adrenal mass. History should be carefully revisited especially in patients with limited English proficiency.

Presentation: 6/3/2024