Reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a story of a critically ill man with transient cardiac dysfunction

Reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a recently described variant of classic TCM. In contrast to classic TCM, the regional wall motion abnormalities are localized in the basal segments. The condition can be triggered by acute stressful events, including acute medical illnesses. The wall motion abnormalities and left ventricular dysfunction are usually completely reversible. We present a case of an 84-year-old man with a complicated postoperative course after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with multiple laparotomies and recurrent sepsis. Echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated left ventricular dysfunction and wall motion abnormalities in a pattern resembling reverse TCM. He had no significant coronary disease on angiography and follow-up echocardiography showed complete resolution of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and regional wall motion abnormalities.