Normotension, ventricular tachycardia and palpitation: an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma

Phaeochromocytomas are rare catecholamine-producing tumours arising from the cells of the sympathetic nervous system. They account for less than one per cent of hypertension. Undiagnosed sufferers are usually hypertensive and experience episodes of hypertensive crisis. Patients presenting with hypertensive attacks only at intervals and who are at other times normotensive account for only one to five per cent of cases. These subjects have been found to predominantly secrete adrenaline from their tumours. We report here such a case in a 43-year-old man who initially presented to the Coronary Care Unit.