Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Excessive catecholamine leads to pressure overload and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. The goal of this study was to explore subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and the mechanism of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods: A total of 48 patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and preserved LVEF and 38 age- and gender-matched volunteers were studied. Echocardiographic parameters including LVEF, and global peak longitudinal and circumferential strains were measured. The correlation between echocardiographic parameters and blood pressure as well as biochemical parameters was analyzed.

Results: LVEF was similar between patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and controls. The amplitude of LV longitudinal strain was decreased, and the amplitude of LV circumferential strain was increased in the pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma group (P = .003 and P = .009). LV mass index and blood pressure were positively correlated with 24-hour urinary norepinephrine (r = .696, P < .0001; r = .470, P = .0007). The amplitude of LV longitudinal strain reduced with increase in blood pressure, 24-hour urinary norepinephrine and LV mass index (r = -.305, P = .035; r = -.506, P = .0002; r = -.680, P < .0001).

Conclusions: This study revealed that excessive norepinephrine in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma was associated with increased blood pressure and LV mass. The LV longitudinal strain was decreasing with increase in blood pressure and LV mass index. The enhanced LV circumferential strain might be the mechanism of compensation to maintain the normal LVEF in these patients.