Case: Rollie Hendrix is a 35-year-old husband and father ofthree children. Over the past six months he has experiencedheadaches and palpitations of increasing frequency and severity. Inaddition, he has periods of intense anxiety and panic attacks. Hiswife Arlene has noticed that Rollie’s face is often pale and thathe sweats more. Upon examination by his physician, Rollie was foundto be severely hypertensive and in atrial fibrillation. Rollie’sphysician suspected that he might have a Pheochromocytoma andordered a battery of tests, which confirmed his diagnosis.
What is a Pheochromocytoma? Explain the cardiovascular effectsof epinephrine and norepinephrine when they bind to adrenergicreceptor types. Why are patients with a pheochromocytoma oftenhyperglycemic, sweat excessively, and be constipated? How shouldRollie be treated (Do not put the obvious answer to removetumor)?
