Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can successfully rescue patients presenting with sustained cardiogenic shock due to pheochromocytoma, serving as a bridge to surgical adrenalectomy.
Supports considering VA-ECMO as bridge to adrenalectomy in pheochromocytoma shock; hypothesis-generating and requires confirmation beyond single case.
This is the case of a 49-year-old female presenting in sustained cardiogenic shock due to an adrenal pheochromocytoma. She was rescued by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The presence of a catecholamine-secreting tumor was confirmed by highly elevated plasma metanephrines and catecholamines. Successful open adrenalectomy was performed under protective extracorporeal life support and full anticoagulation early after cardiogenic shock. The patient could be weaned off mechanical support rapidly and made a full cardiopulmonary recovery.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ritter et al. (2011) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: