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Primary Outcome Assessment in a Pig Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Published on: October 14, 2016
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy--transient left ventricular apical ballooning mimicking acute myocardial infarction
Yung-Lung Chen1, Tung-Hong Yu, Morgan Fu
1Section of Cardiovascular Disease, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
Insights
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition mimicking heart attacks, involves temporary heart muscle dysfunction. This case study highlights a favorable prognosis for this syndrome with proper medical management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) presents as transient left ventricular dysfunction.
- It mimics acute myocardial infarction (MI) but lacks coronary artery stenosis.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old woman with chest tightness showed typical TTC symptoms.
- Initial diagnosis suggested acute MI due to ECG changes and elevated troponin.
- Left ventriculography revealed apical akinesis and ballooning with basal hyperkinesis.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography excluded significant coronary artery stenosis.
- ECG and echocardiography normalized within 3 months.
- The patient remained asymptomatic for 24 months.
Implications:
- This case suggests a favorable prognosis for TTC with optimal medical management.
- Diltiazem was administered to prevent potential coronary artery spasm.
- While generally favorable, TTC carries risks of left ventricular rupture and arrhythmia.
Abstract:
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction with clinical symptoms of chest pain, electrocardiographic changes of ST-segment elevation or T wave inversion, which mimics acute myocardial infarction in patients without angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. We report a 75-year-old woman with a history of chest tightness who presented with typical pictures of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Acute myocardial infarction was initially diagnosed based on the electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin. Apical akinesis and ballooning with basal hyperkinesis were noted during left ventriculography. Coronary angiography, however, did not show significant coronary artery stenosis. Electrocardiography was normal 3 months later. Follow-up echocardiography did not show any wall motion abnormality. This patient remained well without chest pain or dyspnea over 24 months of follow-up. Optimal medical management of takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains unclear. This patient received diltiazem to prevent possible coronary artery spasm. The prognosis of this syndrome seems to be favorable except for occasional mortality due to left ventricular rupture or ventricular arrhythmia. Recurrence of this syndrome is rare.
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