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Published on: September 9, 2020
Ventricular septal perforation in a patient with takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Kenya Sakai1, Hiroyuki Ochiai, Norihiko Katayama
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kure City Medical Association Hospital, Japan.
Insights
A rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation occurred in an 84-year-old woman. Despite presenting with acute myocardial infarction symptoms, coronary angiography showed no stenosis, leading to a fatal cardiogenic shock outcome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, often triggered by emotional or physical stress, mimics acute myocardial infarction.
- Ventricular septal perforation is a rare but severe complication of myocardial infarction.
Observation:
- An 84-year-old female presented with anorexia and symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction.
- Initial investigations including cardiac markers, ECG, and echocardiography indicated acute myocardial infarction, prompting emergency cardiac catheterization.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery stenosis.
- Left ventriculography demonstrated left ventricular apical akinesis and a shunt flow to the right ventricle.
- The patient was diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical importance of considering rare complications in stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
- Accurate diagnosis and timely management are crucial, although outcomes can be poor in cases of ventricular septal perforation.
- Further research into the mechanisms and management of such rare presentations is warranted.
Abstract:
An 84-year-old woman was admitted with anorexia and because the serum cardiac markers, electrocardiogram and echocardiography suggested acute myocardial infarction she underwent emergency cardiac catheterization. Coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery stenosis, but left ventriculography revealed akinesis of the left ventricular apex with shunt flow to the right ventricle. The diagnosis was a rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation. The patient died of cardiogenic shock on the day of admission day.
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