Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated With Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is classically associated with emotional stress in middle-aged women. In clinical practice, physical stressors are a more common cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Here, we present two patients who had acute pancreatitis as a physical stressor that caused Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and an additional 13 cases identified in the literature. An important clinical feature of these cases is that because metabolic derangements are often encountered, close attention to electrolyte repletion with cardiac monitoring is indicated.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report

“…If only women are considered, up to 10% of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes are ultimately diagnosed as having TCM [10]. To the best of our knowledge, acute pancreatitis as a trigger for TCM has been documented only 15 times [2], in addition to our case. Among these cases, only 5 of them (including our case) were male, making the majority of them female.…”

“…Over time, these changes lead to increased left ventricular dilatation, mass, and dysfunction [13]. Our case represents the 5th documented case in the literature of a TCM triggered by acute pancreatitis among the male population, with the majority being linked to alcohol-induced pancreatitis [2], thus underlining the distinctive susceptibility of the male population to this rare but major cardiac complication. The absence of the protective effect of estrogen among the male population, as well as the higher degree of sympathetic activation, likely contributes to a higher catecholamine surge in response to stress.…”

“…Emotional and physical stress is one of the known triggers of this cardiomyopathy. However, some reports showed that acute pancreatitis could be a trigger for TCM, although uncommon [2].…”