Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a Caucasian Italian woman: Case report

• Main Authors: Castellani Debora, Carrera Arcangelo, Aitiani Paolo, Lunghetti Stefano, Maggi Marianna, Casucci Francesca, Maffei Silvia, Zacà Valerio, Lisi Matteo, Favilli Roberto, Pierli Carlo, Mondillo Sergio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-04-01
• Series: Cardiovascular Ultrasound
• Online Access: http://www.cardiovascularultrasound.com/content/5/1/18

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by transient LV regional wall motion abnormalities (with peculiar apical ballooning appearance), chest pain or dyspnea, ST-segment elevation and minor elevations of cardiac enzyme levels</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department because of sudden onset chest pain occurred while transferring her daughter, who had earlier suffered a major seizure, to the hospital. The EKG showed sinus tachycardia with ST-segment elevation in leads V2–V3 and ST-segment depression in leads V5–V6, she was, thus, referred for emergency coronary angiography. A pre-procedural transthoracic echocardiogram revealed regional systolic dysfunction of the LV walls with hypokinesis of the mid-apical segments and hyperkinesis of the basal segments. Coronary angiography showed patent epicardial coronary arteries; LV angiography demonstrated the characteristic morphology of apical ballooning with hyperkinesis of the basal segments and hypokinesis of the mid-apical segments. The post-procedural course was uneventful; on day 5 after admission the echocardiogram revealed full recovery of apical and mid-ventricular regional wall-motion abnormalities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a relatively rare, unique entity that has only recently been widely appreciated. Acute stress has been indicated as a common trigger for the transient LV apical ballooning syndrome, especially in postmenopausal women. The present report is a typical example of stress-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a Caucasian Italian postmenopausal woman.</p>