Project description:Takotsubo's syndrome (TS) is an acute, transient cardiomyopathy occurring secondary to physical or emotional stressors through catecholamine excess. Secretory pheochromocytomas have been previously implicated in cases of TS (PTS), however, often present atypically, are associated with reoccurrence, and have higher rates of complications. We describe the case of a 70-year-old female who presented central chest pain, hypotension and electrocardiogram changes on a background of a 6-month prior episode of resolved Takotsubo's with unknown cause. After progressing to cardiogenic shock with biventricular failure, computerized tomography coronary aortogram revealed an incidental adrenal mass, later proven to be a secretory pheochromocytoma on biochemistry and subsequent histology. PTS has been associated with recurrence and rarely presents as cardiogenic shock. This case highlights the complexity of TS presentations and complications and the diagnostic delays that may occur in PTS.
Project description:In recent years, our understanding of the physiologic mechanisms of transient takotsubo cardiomyopathy has improved because of the growing use of emergent heart catheterization in patients who present with severe ischemic syndromes. However, even this procedure has revealed only that, in most patients with takotsubo syndrome, the sudden onset of ventricular dysfunction is not due to fixed coronary artery occlusions. We present a case of transient takotsubo cardiomyopathy with an exceptional feature--uneven impairment of both right and left ventricular function, or biventricular takotsubo--and we discuss a novel, comprehensive theory that we have devised to explain the pathophysiology of this syndrome's many manifestations.
Project description:Biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy is associated with more hemodynamic instability than is isolated left ventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy; medical management is more invasive and the course of hospitalization is longer. In March 2011, a 62-year-old woman presented at our emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. On hospital day 2, she experienced chest pain. An electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme levels suggested an acute myocardial infarction. She underwent cardiac angiography and was found to have severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction involving the mid and apical segments, which resulted in a left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.10 to 0.15 in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Her hospital course was complicated by cardiogenic shock that required hemodynamic support with an intra-aortic balloon pump and dobutamine. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed akinesis of the mid-to-distal segments of the left ventricle and mid-to-apical dyskinesis of the right ventricular free wall characteristic of biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy. After several days of medical management, the patient was discharged from the hospital in stable condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of the literature on biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy that compares its hemodynamic instability and medical management requirements with those of isolated left ventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Herein, we discuss the case of our patient, review the pertinent medical literature, and convey the prevalence and importance of right ventricular involvement in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Project description:BackgroundCardiogenic shock (CS) due to takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a life-threatening condition. Therapy is challenging because of the ambivalent effects of catecholamines. Catecholamines are required to stabilize blood pressure but might aggravate TTC. Cardiac assist devices could be a suitable solution for conserving catecholamines and the prevention of TTC perpetuation.Case summaryWe report the case of a male patient with refractory CS and severe respiratory insufficiency as a result of a reverse TTC, which involved both ventricles. Simultaneous circulatory support with an Impella CP® and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated for cardiopulmonary stabilization and catecholamine weaning. A giant, incidental pheochromocytoma was diagnosed as the cause of TTC. After drug treatment and resection of the tumour, biventricular function completely recovered within 7 weeks.DiscussionA rare and challenging situation is the coincidence of a nor/epinephrine-secreting tumour, such as a pheochromocytoma, and severe CS complicating TTC. Although percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVAD) are highly complicated and have shown conflicting results in terms of clinical efficacy for CS, its use may prevent the perpetuation of TTC due to reduced catecholamines requirement.
Project description:BackgroundBiventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (BTC) is estimated to occur in 25-42% of those with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). Little is known about which subset of patients are predisposed to having concomitant right ventricular (RV) involvement, or the pattern of recovery in BTC.Case summaryWe describe a 69-year-old woman who presented with dyspnoea and was subsequently diagnosed with BTC. We propose that this was triggered by an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on a background of multiple predisposing factors including recent bereavement, previous excessive alcohol use, status as a current smoker, and anxiety. During her admission, she required non-invasive ventilation and inotropic support to manage her type two respiratory failure and acute heart failure. Serial echocardiograms during the admission allowed us to capture and present the sequential recovery of ventricular systolic function, with the left ventricular (LV) recovery preceding the right ventricle.DiscussionOur patient fulfils the International Takotsubo Diagnostic criteria of transient LV dysfunction, emotional and physical triggers, electrocardiogram abnormalities, raised troponin and brain natriuretic peptide and no occlusive coronary artery disease. We hypothesize that pulmonary hypertension-related strain on the right ventricle due to lung disease, may have led to the observed delay in the recovery of RV function, despite the full recovery of LV function.
Project description:BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a novel, yet well-described, reversible cardiomyopathy triggered by profound psychological or physical stress with a female predominance. OBJECTIVE: This review is designed to increase general clinician awareness about the diagnosis, incidence, pathogenesis, and therapies of this entity. DATA SOURCES: A complete search of multiple electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) was carried out to identify all full-text, English-language articles published from 1980 to the present date and relevant to this review. REVIEW METHODS: The following search terms were used: takotsubo cardiomyopathy, stress-induced cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome. Citation lists from identified articles were subsequently reviewed and pertinent articles were further identified. RESULTS: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is typically characterized by the following: 1) acute onset of ischemic-like chest pain or dyspnea, 2) transient apical and mid-ventricular regional wall-motion abnormality, 3) minor elevation of cardiac biomarkers, 4) dynamic electrocardiographic changes, and 5) the absence of epicardial coronary artery disease. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is unknown but has mostly been associated with acute emotional or physiologic stressors. Dote, Sato, Tateishi, Uchida, Ishihara (J Cardiol. 21(2):203-214, 1991); Desmet, Adriaenssens, Dens (Heart. 89(9):1027-1031, Sep., 2003); Bybee, Kara, Prasad, et al. (Ann Intern Med. 141(11):858-865, Dec 7, 2004); Sharkey, Lesser, Zenovich, et al. (Circulation. 111(4):472-479, Feb 1, 2005) The short and long-term prognosis of these patients is overwhelmingly favorable and often only requires supportive therapy. CONCLUSION: Whether an emotional or physical event precedes one's symptoms, it is apparent that takotsubo cardiomyopathy case presentations mimic ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and thus is an important entity to be recognized by the medical community.
Project description:BackgroundTakotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) usually manifests as transient apical ballooning of the left ventricle and may mimic acute coronary syndrome. Concomitant right ventricle involvement may occur in about a third of the cases. Recurrence had been observed in up to 10% of TC with variable ventricular involvement. Despite this knowledge, there had been no report of a patient with multiple biventricular TC in the literature to date. In this study, we describe a rare case of a patient who presented twice with biventricular TC.Case summaryA 52-year-old man with a previous episode of biventricular TC 5 months ago presented to our hospital with a 1 day history of shortness of breath and wheeze. He was treated initially for infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive airway disease. He was eventually intubated following a trial of non-invasive ventilation. He became hypotensive post-intubation and required intensive care support. An inpatient echocardiogram revealed biventricular apical ballooning. Invasive coronary angiogram showed no coronary artery disease. A repeat echocardiogram 14 days post-admission demonstrated full recovery of both ventricles. These findings were consistent with a second biventricular TC. Two months later, he was found deceased in the community seemingly from an unrelated cause.DiscussionThis case describes a middle-aged gentleman who suffered recurrent biventricular TC with no consistent triggers and an unrelated fatal sequel. None of these features were typical, and to our best knowledge had not been reported before. We hypothesize that his recurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations and various substance misuse might have predisposed him to this unusual presentation.
Project description:A 79-year-old female was admitted with sudden onset dyspnea, mild oppressive chest pain, and severe anxiety disorder. Patient had history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On admission blood pressure was 160/90 and heart rate was 130 bpm. Transthoracic echocardiography (TE) and contrast tomography showed a thin septum with an abnormal left and right ventricular contraction with an "apical ballooning" pattern and mild increase of cardiac enzymes. At the 4th day of admission, the patient presented symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure and developed cardiogenic shock. EKG showed an inversion of T waves in all precordial leads. In a new TE, a ventricular septal perforation (VSP) in the apical portion of the septum was seen. Coronary angiogram showed angiographically "normal" coronary arteries. With a diagnosis of VSP in takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a percutaneous procedure to repair the VSP was performed 11 days after admission. The VSP was closed with an Amplatzer device. TE performed 24 hours after showed significant improvement of ventricular function and good apposition of the Amplatzer device. Three days later she was discharged from the hospital. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a VSP in a TCM repaired percutaneously with an occluder device.
Project description:A healthy 66-year-old female presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain, T-wave inversion in the anterior leads, and elevated troponin-I. Coronary angiography showed a stenosis in the midportion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), which did not wrap the left ventricle (LV) apex. LV angiography demonstrated a large LV apical akinetic systolic ballooning with a 45% ejection fraction. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) of LAD lesion was 0.71. Percutaneous intervention was performed. At six months, transthoracic echocardiography was normal. Fifteen months later, the patient presented with chest pain and a small rise in troponin-I. Coronary angiogram was unchanged. Repeat FFR in distal LAD was 0.86 and left ventriculography was normal. Diagnostic criteria for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) require the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In the present case, TTC was highly suspected on the basis of typical LV apex ballooning. However, significant ischemia in the same territory was demonstrated by positive FFR, which could not be falsely positive in this context. Current TTC diagnostic criteria increase specificity for diagnosing TTC. This case reminds us that it is at the price of reduced sensitivity, since there is no reason to believe that coronary lesions may protect from TTC.