Thrombo-embolic renal infarction in a case of mid-ventricular takotsubo syndrome

Thrombo-embolism is one of the serious complications of takotsubo syndrome (TS). It typically occurs in the classical mid-apical left ventricular ballooning form of TS. This complication has not been reported in cases of left mid-ventricular ballooning type of TS. We describe a 67-year-old woman who presented with 2-3 days of increasing signs and symptoms of heart failure. Echocardiography showed marked hypokinesia/akinesia in the mid-anterior, mid-anterolateral, and mid-inferior wall of the left ventricle and mild hypokinesia in the apical region. There was also hypokinesia of the mid and apical parts of the right ventricle. One day after admission, she developed acute left-sided renal infarction. Left ventriculography and coronary angiography 3 days after admission showed typical left mid-ventricular ballooning with no identifiable coronary lesion. Follow-up echocardiography showed complete resolution of left and right ventricular dysfunction. Takotsubo syndrome with right ventricular involvement complicated with heart failure and left renal embolic infarction was diagnosed. The mechanism of left renal embolic infarction is discussed.