Abstract:

Stress-induced (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy is a severe emerging dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) with the presence of akinesia or dyskinesia its apical portion in the absence of hemodynamically significant coronary lesions. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was first described in Japan in 1990. The name of this disorder comes from a special device (tako-tsubo) for catching octopus. The similarity of the specific configuration of the affected left ventricular (LV) function and takotsubo (wide bottom and narrow neck) determined the most commonly used designation of the syndrome. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also called apical ballooning syndrome, broken heart syndrome, and takotsubo-cardiomyopathy, is an increasingly reported syndrome generally characterized by transient systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, that mimics myocardial infarction, but in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Сase of transient acute cardiomyopathy, occurring after intense emotional stress and without any identified aetiology is described. A 22-year-old male presented with symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction Patient exhibited ST elevation on the electrocardiogram, severe ventricular dysfunction. The ECG and wall motion abnormalities are transient and resolve within weeks. A subsequent coronary angiogram revealed coronary arteries without significant lesions. Also discussed clinical features and pathophysiology of this syndrome.

Keywords: takotsubo cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning, catecholamine, emotional stress.