Myasthenic crisis-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report

Myasthenic crisis (MC) is characterized by severe weakness in the bulbar and respiratory muscles. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a rare clinical entity mainly associated with postmenopausal women. We report a case of both these conditions in a premenopausal woman.

A 31-year-old woman with hypothyroidism presented with dyspnea. Bedside echocardiography in the ICU revealed an apical ballooning with an ejection fraction of 25%, and she was treated with losartan, furosemide, and spironolactone. She was intubated after 2 days as she developed respiratory distress and type II respiratory failure. Upon investigation, the patient tested positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. Treatment with five doses of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) was given, and she made a remarkable recovery. Repeat echocardiography revealed her ejection fraction is normal and cardiac function is resolved.

The association between TC and MC is unusual and not commonly observed. MC can be a natural progression of myasthenia gravis or due to stressors, such as infection, medicine, pregnancy, and surgery. Stressful events can lead to TC. This leads to the possibility of TC, along with other cardiac complications, in patients with MC.

Patients with MC may be at potential risk of developing TC, thus careful cardiac monitoring is necessary while treating them for a better prognosis.