Takotsubo Syndrome Mimicking Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy with apical ballooning.
• Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) involves left ventricular apical wall thickening.
• Early stages of TTS and ApHCM can exhibit overlapping clinical and imaging features.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a clinical case presenting diagnostic challenges between TTS and ApHCM.
• To highlight the importance of serial imaging and clinical evaluation in differentiating these conditions.
• To discuss the potential for overlapping phenotypes in cardiac emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 66-year-old woman.
• Review of initial clinical presentation and imaging consistent with TTS.
• Subsequent clinical course and imaging raising suspicion for ApHCM.

Main Results:

• Initial presentation mimicked Takotsubo syndrome.
• Later evaluation suggested an underlying ApHCM phenotype.
• The case illustrates the diagnostic complexity in differentiating TTS and ApHCM.

Conclusions:

• Distinguishing between TTS and ApHCM can be challenging, particularly early in presentation.
• Serial cardiac imaging and thorough clinical assessment are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• This case underscores the need for vigilance in identifying ApHCM in patients with initial TTS-like presentations.