Hypertensive Heartbreak

This case study presents a 61 year old man with undiagnosed pheochromocytoma who underwent elective knee surgery and subsequently developed a hypertensive crisis, cardiogenic shock, and multisystem organ failure, leading to fatal outcomes. The article highlights the challenges in diagnosing pheochromocytoma, its rare but lethal cardiovascular manifestations, and the importance of early recognition. The patient’s autopsy revealed a large adrenal mass and myocardial necrosis consistent with catecholamine excess. The case underscores the need for considering pheochromocytoma in hypertensive emergencies, especially when atypical cardiomyopathy or unexplained shock is present.

This case study presents a 61 year old man with undiagnosed pheochromocytoma who underwent elective knee surgery and subsequently developed a hypertensive crisis, cardiogenic shock, and multisystem organ failure, leading to fatal outcomes. The article highlights the challenges in diagnosing pheochromocytoma, its rare but lethal cardiovascular manifestations, and the importance of early recognition. The patient’s autopsy revealed a large adrenal mass and myocardial necrosis consistent with catecholamine excess. The case underscores the need for considering pheochromocytoma in hypertensive emergencies, especially when atypical cardiomyopathy or unexplained shock is present.