Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy induced by emotional stress leading to severe mitral regurgitation, cardiogenic shock and cardiopulmonary arrest

Abstract

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) which is usually precipitated by profound emotional and physical stress has been widely reported in the past. In this case we report a young female patient who developed sudden dyspnea and palpitation after an profound stress (fierce argument). The patient had characteristic feature of progressive pulmonary edema. Her symptom worsened gradually leading to cardiopulmonary arrest in a few hours from the onset. After resuscitation an immediately performed echocardiography showed a severe mitral regurgitation due to rupture of antromedial papillary muscle. Left ventricular function showed akinetic mid-to-distal portion of the left ventricular chamber and hyperkinetic in basal segment. Inotrop infusion and aortic balloon pump placement was done because of unstable homodynamics. Semi-elective surgical valve replacement was performed. One year after the acute event the patient remained asymptomatic. Clinicians should recognize that Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy is one etiology of acute pulmonary edema with normal coronary artery finding. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.