Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart damage linked to pheochromocytoma tumors in dogs
By Edmondson, E F et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2015·Department of Microbiology Immunology and Pathology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pathologic and cardiovascular characterization of pheochromocytoma-associated cardiomyopathy in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Nine dogs with a rare tumor called pheochromocytoma were found to have heart problems caused by high levels of stress hormones. Symptoms included abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and changes in heart size seen through tests like echocardiograms. The heart damage was similar to what is seen in humans with the same condition. Fortunately, the heart issues related to this condition can be treated with medication, which may help improve the dogs' health and reduce serious complications.
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Abstract
Pheochromocytoma-associated catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy is a well-known entity in man, nonhuman primates, and mice but has not been described in dogs. In this retrospective study, 9 dogs were identified with pheochromocytomas and concurrent cardiovascular pathology observed histologically (n = 6), echocardiographically (n = 4), and/or electrocardiographically (n = 5). Cardiac lesions included multifocal cardiomyocyte necrosis with contraction bands, cardiomyocyte degeneration, myocardial hemorrhage, lymphohistiocytic myocarditis, and interstitial fibrosis. Clinical procedures, including electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations, Doppler blood pressure measurement, and auscultation, were available for 5 dogs and consistently revealed concentric or mixed (eccentric and concentric) ventricular hypertrophy. Additional changes observed included arrhythmias, systemic hypertension, and heart murmurs. The myocardial lesions observed in this series of dogs are similar to those observed in humans with pheochromocytoma-associated catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. Since the clinical manifestations of catecholamine-induced cardiac disease are amenable to medical treatment, recognition of this cardiomyopathy has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality in dogs with pheochromocytoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24810909/