Postpartum Inverted Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Intravenous Atropine Administration

Abstract

Postpartum Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is mainly induced by drugs that enhance sympathetic nervous activity. We report a novel case of postpartum inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by intravenous atropine administration resulting in acute pulmonary edema. Cardiac troponin I and beta-type natriuretic peptide were elevated. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography demonstrated a nondilated left ventricle with mid-basal akinesis, a hyperdynamic apex, and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation likely linked to papillary muscle dysfunction. Coronary computed tomography angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Atropine inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system, alters the autonomic system balance, and, thus, leads to increased sympathetic nervous activity, which seems to have been the cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in this patient. Atropine should be listed among the drugs triggering Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.