Enzyme immunoassay showed that the content of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 7 in tumors was higher than in the adjacent histologically intact tissue in 91 and 76% patients with breast cancer, respectively, while MMP-9 levels in the tumor and intact tissue were virtually the same. Serum concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-7 did not correlate with their levels in the tumors, were within the normal range, and virtually did not decrease after removal of the primary tumor. Serum levels of MMP-9 in patients were significantly lower than in the control and increased after surgery in 85% patients. No clear-cut relationship between the studied parameters and clinical morphological prognostic factors of breast cancer was detected.

Takotsubo syndrome (stress-induced cardiomyopathy, or apical ballooning syndrome) is a  rare critical condition with approximate incidence of 0.00006% and relatively favorable prognosis. It is characterized by electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia, as well as by severe left ventricular failure with intact coronary vessels. The literature on postoperative development of this disease is scarce. This paper presents three documented cases of takotsubo syndrome with favorable outcomes that developed just after the induction of general anesthesia.