Heart transplantation for end-stage cardiomyopathy caused by an occult pheochromocytoma.

Dilated cardiomyopathy has been found in patients with pheochromocytoma. The cardiomyopathy and resultant congestive heart failure can be progressive and fatal, or reversible, if the source of the excess catecholamines is removed. Histologic and autopsy studies revealed a characteristic focal myocarditis and contraction band necrosis, indicating that the circulating catecholamine excess secreted by the pheochromocytoma is the cause of the cardiomyopathy.