Rapid reversibility of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Fathia Mghaieth Zghal, Ramy Trabelsi, Sihem Mbarki, Mohamed Sami Mourali, Rachid Mechmeche

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DOI: 10.4236/wjcd.2012.21005                

Abstract

Background: In Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), left ventricular dysfunction is usually reversible within a few weeks. Complete recovery can however be very rapid. We report the case of Mrs. TA, a 53 year old patient who had a history of hypertension treated with atenolol and captopril. She was admitted with the diagnosis of non ST segment elevation myo-cardial infarction. The electrocardiogram showed anterior sub and the troponinI level was 3.48 mg/l. Echo-cardiography revealed a left ventricular (LV) ballooning and LV ejection fraction was 36%. A recent emotional stress was mentioned. TCM was suspected and emergency angiography showed apical ballooning with a normal coronary angiogram. There was a complete recovery in 72 hours with a normalization of regional and global LV function at echocardiography and angiography. Conclusion: There is a large variability in TCM evolution aspects probably due to a variable physiopathological mechanism which remains to be clarified.

Keywords

Apical Ballooning; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Early Recovery

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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