Point of Care Ultrasound Utility in the Setting of Chest Pain: A Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Chest pain is a frequently encountered chief complaint in the Emergency Department and entails a broad differential. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be utilized to guide diagnostic decision making and initial triaging. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy presents similarly to acute coronary syndrome and has characteristic findings on echocardiogram. This case presentation details a scenario of ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram and elevated high sensitivity troponin levels, worrisome for a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Apical hypokinesis to akinesis and apical ballooning were appreciated on echocardiogram, raising suspicion for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, subsequently confirmed by coronary angiogram. A cardiac focused point-of-care ultrasound assessment can provide valuable information to aid in diagnostic accuracy.