Stress-induced cardiomyopathy following infection of the upper respiratory tract in an elderly female patient: A case report.

Abstract

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC), also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), is a relatively newly-described condition, which has been increasingly reported in the literature. It is characterized by acute onset of symptoms and electrocardiogram changes mimicking myocardial infarction, with transient but completely reversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. SIC commonly occurs following physical or emotional stress. The present study discusses the case of a 68-year-old female patient who had suffered from infection of the upper respiratory tract for 10 days before admission to the hospital with symptoms of chest stuffiness and dyspnea that persisted for 2 days. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary artery function, while LV angiography demonstrated systolic apical ballooning. Based on these observed characteristics, the patient was diagnosed with SIC and was successfully treated.