Abstract
Introduction: Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy describes a form of acute and reversible left ventricular dysfunction with a clinical presentation, ECG and cardiac biomarkers that makes it indistinguishable from acute coronary syndrome. Case Presentation: The authors present two cases of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in postmenopausal women, the first case following an emotional stressful event and a second case following a blood transfusion and probably associated with intravenous catecholamine perfusion. Both had unobstructed coronary arteries and regional wall-motion abnormalities typical of this syndrome. Conclusions: Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is a condition often misdiagnosed. A clinical presentation suggestive of acute coronary syndrome in a postmenopausal woman without history of coronary disease and in whom a precipitating stressful event can be found should lead the physician to suspect the diagnosis of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. This syndrome associated with blood transfusion has rarely been described.
Highlights
IntroductionTako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), known as “transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome”, “broken heart syndrome” or “stress induced cardiomyopathy”, was first described under this terminology in 1990 in the Japanese population, owing its name to the resemblance between the Japanese octopus trap and the shape of the left ventricle (LV) during systole [1]
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy describes a form of acute and reversible left ventricular dysfunction with a clinical presentation, ECG and cardiac biomarkers that makes it indistinguishable from acute coronary syndrome
It is well recognized that Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is frequently precipitated by a stressful emotional or physical event [1,3,4,5], affects mainly postmenopausal women (90% of the cases) and accounts for about 1% - 2% of cases presenting as segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) [1,2,3]
Summary
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), known as “transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome”, “broken heart syndrome” or “stress induced cardiomyopathy”, was first described under this terminology in 1990 in the Japanese population, owing its name to the resemblance between the Japanese octopus trap and the shape of the left ventricle (LV) during systole [1] This condition describes a form of acute, often severe and reversible LV dysfunction, with a clinical presentation indistinguishable from an acute coronary syndrome, electrocardiographic changes that mimic ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and minimal increases in the cardiac enzymes, incongruent with the degree of LV dysfunction, in the absence of coronary lesions visible in coronary angiography [2,3]. The presence of regional wall-motion abnormalities, with hypokinesis, akinesis or dyskinesis of the mid ventricular and apical segments and hyperkinesis of the basal left ventricular segments, found on transthoracic echocardiogram or left ventriculogram can suggest the diagnosis [3,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
