A case of pheochromocytoma presenting as inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Echocardiography showed transient cardiomyopathy with akinesia of the basal and midportions of the left ventricle and hyperkinesia of the apex. No evidence of ischemic cardiomyopathy on myocardial SPECT or ergonovine stress echocardiography was observed. The patient’s condition at discharge had improved, but she later was diagnosed as having pheochromocytoma. The findings of transient cardiomyopathy revealed inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy related to pheochromocytoma. The recognition of such a rare cardiac manifestation should be considered in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.