Stress-induced cardiomyopathy shortly after pacemaker placement

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), also known as transient apical ballooning syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a distinctive reversible condition often affecting postmenopausal women after a stressful event. The underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet, but several hypotheses include catecholamine cardiotoxicity, microvascular dysfunction, and coronary artery spasm. We report the rare case of a 72-year-old woman who developed TCM after undergoing pacemaker placement. Our case emphasizes the importance of recognizing uncomplicated pacemaker implementation as a potential cause of TCM. This should be suspected especially in postmenopausal women who complain of typical chest pain after an uncomplicated pacemaker implantation.