Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: “What if it’s a pheochromocytoma”? Some lessons from a crisis

Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: “What if it’s a pheochromocytoma”? Some lessons from a crisis

A 63-year-old female with cardiovascular risk factors presented with tremor, sweating, lower back discomfort, nausea and dyspnoea. Electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with lateral ST-depression. High-sensitivity troponin-T was dynamically elevated (72ng/L to 112ng/L on one-hour repeat). Overnight, there was an episode of ventricular tachycardia with further troponin rise to 364ng/L. Coronary angiogram demonstrated non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Post-procedure, the patient developed a hypertensive crisis with pulmonary oedema (invasive blood pressure 350/140mmHg). This was managed with intravenous phentolamine. Ondansetron and metoclopramide were given for intractable vomiting. A pheochromocytoma was subsequently confirmed and surgically excised. Our experience in this case generated several important learning points that we hope may be of benefit to others who encounter suspected pheochromocytomas on the acute medical take.

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Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: “What if it’s a pheochromocytoma”? Some lessons from a crisis

22nd January 2022
PMID: 35072389
Authors Affiliations
Jonathan Lazari BSc MBBS MRCP, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Nikita Jolapara BSc MD, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Carol Whelan BSc MBChB MD MRCP, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK

Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: “What if it’s a pheochromocytoma”? Some lessons from a crisis

Cite this article as:

Lazari J, Jolapara N, Whelan C. Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: "What if it's a pheochromocytoma"? Some lessons from a crisis. Acute Med. 2021;20(4):294-297. doi: 10.52964/AMJA.0882. PMID: 35072389.

Ventricular tachycardia and raised troponin: “What if it’s a pheochromocytoma”? Some lessons from a crisis

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