Shock after phenothiazine administration in a pregnant patient with a pheochromocytoma. A case report and literature review.

Abstract

A pregnant patient with undiagnosed bilateral pheochromocytoma developed shock and pulmonary edema subsequent to the administration of a phenothiazine. The patient had developed a paradoxic hypertensive response to hydralazine. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosing a pheochromocytoma that mimics toxemia of pregnancy. There is an urgent need for prompt plasma expansion for the pregnant patient in shock, even when pulmonary edema is present.