Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by influenza A and complicated with cardiac arrest, a case report

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized cardiac syndrome, characterized by a transient hypokinesis involving left ventricular apical or midventricular segments, and mimicking acute coronary syndrome, in the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis.1,2 The pathophysiology of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is still unclear, although several mechanisms have been proposed1; moreover, Takotsubo has been related to pulmonary infection3 and influenza virus vaccination.4 Patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy have a favorable shortand long-term prognosis compared with those with acute myocardial infarction, secondary to the complete recovery of cardiac function. Nevertheless, cardiac arrest is a rare, but extremely lethal, complication.5