Inotropic agents in apical ballooning syndrome: A therapeutical dilemma

Abstract

We have greatly enjoyed reading the article by Liang and co-workers, 1 Liang J.J. Cha Y.M. Oh J.K. Prasad A. Sudden cardiac death: an increasingly recognized presentation of apical ballooning syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy). Heart Lung. 2013; 42: 270-272 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar entitled “Sudden cardiac death: An increasingly recognized presentation of apical ballooning syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy),” which is published in the current issue of Heart and Lung. The authors 1 Liang J.J. Cha Y.M. Oh J.K. Prasad A. Sudden cardiac death: an increasingly recognized presentation of apical ballooning syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy). Heart Lung. 2013; 42: 270-272 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar presented a case of apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) presenting with cardiac arrest. Although the current case is well-managed and an interesting one, and we commend the authors for the excellent management, some comments about the use of inotropic agents (such as dopamine) in ABS may be of interest. Sudden cardiac death: An increasingly recognized presentation of apical ballooning syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy)Heart & Lung: The Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute CareVol. 42Issue 4PreviewWe present an unfortunate case of a previously healthy woman who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the setting of severe emotional distress, likely due to apical ballooning syndrome. This case highlights the fact that although patients with apical ballooning syndrome typically do well following recovery from transient left ventricular dysfunction, they should be monitored closely in the acute setting due to the potential for life-threatening arrhythmias. Full-Text PDF