Correlation between catecholamines and echocardiographic parameters in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Purpose To analyze the correlation between catecholamines and echocardiographic parameters in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Methods Sixty-six patients who underwent surgical resection of pathologically proven PPGL from January 2016 to June 2019 were examined. Echocardiographic parameters were compared between patients with elevated catecholamine concentrations and those with normal concentrations. Results The percentage of patients with elevation of any catecholamine (NE, DA, or E, and their metabolites) did not significantly differ between patients with normal and abnormal left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) or diastolic function (LVDF). E wave deceleration time (EDT) was significantly lower in patients with elevation of any catecholamine than in those with normal concentrations (p = 0.024). EDT was significantly lower in patients with elevated NE and its metabolites than in patients with normal NE concentration (p = 0.004). After adjusting for gender and age, EDT was significantly negatively correlated with elevated NE and its metabolites in regression analysis (B-value, -39.853; p = 0.023) and correlation analysis (r = -0.349; p = 0.004). Conclusion NE and its metabolites may have an impact on left ventricular diastolic function, which can be reflected by EDT. EDT was negatively correlated with elevated NE and its metabolites.