Myocardial Infarction or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy? A Case Report of a Rare Clinical Dilemma in the Setting of Atrial Myxoma

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) secondary to coronary embolization is one of the rare complications of atrial myxoma. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), a close mimic of AMI, is extremely rare in the setting of atrial myxoma. We report a patient with atrial myxoma presenting with features leading to a clinical dilemma between these two entities. Case summary A 60-year-old woman presented with acute chest pain with ST segment elevation. Echocardiogram revealed left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning which is typical of TCM, coexisting with a fragile left atrial mass. Emergency coronary angiogram showed a hazy lesion in the circumflex ostium and an intermediate lesion in ramus without any obstruction. Surgical excision of the tumor was done due to features of recurrent coronary embolism. The histopathology examination confirmed it as a myxoma. Regional wall motion abnormalities reversed within a month and LV function normalized. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at follow-up suggested myocardial infarction. Discussion TCM can occur very rarely in the setting of atrial myxoma. In a patient with atrial myxoma presenting with features of TCM, differentiating it from coronary embolization is important.