Recurrence of Stress-Induced (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently recognized form of transient left ventricular dysfunction that is presumably precipitated by stress and may clinically resemble an acute coronary syndrome. These patients have an akinetic left ventricular apex in an unusual shape that resembles a takotsubo. Although reports of single episodes of takotsubo cardiomyopathy are not infrequent in recent medical literature, we report a case of recurrence that may provide more insight into the nature of this syndrome.

Intraoperative diagnosis of a functional paraganglioma presenting as a gastrointestinal stromal cell tumor (GIST)

“…There were no ECG changes, chest pain, or clinical signs of cardiac dysfunction in the perioperative period. Though recurrence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is rare, it would seem that the presence of excess catecholamines, as observed intraoperatively in this case, would provide a trigger for a recurrent episode [2,13]. Perhaps preoperative β-blocker therapy affected myocardial sensitivity to catecholamines, as suggested by the prevention of left ventricular hypocontraction in a possible rat model of Takotsubo with the presence of α and β-blockers [14].…”

Midventricular form of takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a recurrence 1 year after typical apical ballooning: a case report

“…In a minority of patients a different pattern with preserved apical contractile function and impaired midventricular contractility has been observed [ 4 ]. Additionally in a few patients recurrences of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy have been reported [ 5 ]. A recurrence in varying regions of the left ventricle, as observed in the present case, is rare [ 6 ].…”

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a diagnostic challenge

“…Recurrence of the syndrome is infrequent, experienced only by 3.5–10% of patients,13 78 and has been reported to be associated with specific triggering factors in some individuals 12 13. The recurrence of chest pain has been reported in about 30% of patients 75.…”