Takotsubo Syndrome in the Setting of COVID-19

Anum S Minhas1,2, Paul Scheel1, Brian Garibaldi3

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

JACC. Case Reports
|May 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

A patient with coronavirus disease-2019 developed stress cardiomyopathy, a reversible condition. Her heart function improved, showing the temporary nature of this cardiac complication.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) can present with diverse cardiovascular complications.
  • Stress cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is an acute cardiac condition often triggered by severe emotional or physical stress.

Observation:

  • A 58-year-old woman with COVID-19 symptoms developed mixed shock.
  • Echocardiography revealed mid-distal left ventricular hypokinesis and apical ballooning, characteristic of stress cardiomyopathy.

Findings:

  • The patient's left ventricular function demonstrated significant improvement over a few days.
  • These findings support the reversible nature of acute stress cardiomyopathy in the context of COVID-19.

Implications:

  • COVID-19 can precipitate stress cardiomyopathy, highlighting the importance of cardiac monitoring in affected patients.
  • The reversibility of this condition suggests a favorable prognosis with appropriate supportive care.

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