Postoperative Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy also known as transient apical ballooning syndrome or stress induced reversible cardiomyopathy is an increasingly reported syndrome generally characterized by transient systolic dysfunction of the apical and/or mid segment of the left ventricle. It is frequently precipitated by severe stress and clinically mimics an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, with angiographically normal coronary arteries. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this syndrome. We describe a patient who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the post-operative period following vaginal hysterectomy.