Broken heart syndrome: a case report

ABSTRACT

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently increasing diagnosed disease manifested by transient apical or mid left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. This sign is similar to acute myocardial infarction but without significant coronary artery stenosis. There are important and essential differences between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction in terms of management, necessitating a good understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the former. We report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy which presented with dizziness and near syncope after an intense emotional stress. Electrocardiogram showed ST-T changes in V1-V3 and echocardiography revealed severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction with marked regional wall motion abnormalities. Coronary angiography demonstrated minimal coronary artery disease. The patient was treated with beta -blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and diuretics. At the follow-up visit, all the symptoms had disappeared and control echocardiography showed significant improvement in the left ventricular systolic function with a normal ejection fraction and normal wall motion.