Successful Management of Pheochromocytoma Crisis with Cardiogenic Shock by Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device

Therapeutic strategy utilizing mechanical circulatory supports in patients with pheochromocytoma-related cardiogenic shock remains unestablished. We had a 51-year-old man with acute decompensated heart failure due to pheochromocytoma crisis. He received a percutaneous left ventricular assist device-supported alpha-blocker and intensive fluid infusion therapy, which ameliorated impaired end-organ dysfunction, maintaining hemodynamics and achieving cardiac recovery, followed by the successfully scheduled adrenalectomy. Early suspicion of pheochromocytoma and Impella-supported disease-specific medical management might be a promising bridge to surgery strategy.

Automated summary

There is currently no established therapeutic strategy for pheochromocytoma-related cardiogenic shock. We report a case of a 51-year-old male patient with acute decompensated heart failure due to pheochromocytoma crisis, who underwent successful adrenalectomy following treatment with a percutaneous left ventricular assist device and medication. Early suspicion of pheochromocytoma and disease-specific medical management supported by Impella may provide a promising bridge to surgery.