Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage as a precipitant for takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A case report and discussion

• Published in: International journal of cardiology Vol. 132; no. 2; pp. 283 - 285
• Main Authors: Das, Moloy, Gonsalves, Simon, Saha, Arin, Ross, Stuart, Williams, Gordon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 20.02.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Female; Heart; Humans; Left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocarditis. Cardiomyopathies; Neurology; Subarachnoid haemorrhage; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - complications; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy - diagnosis; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy - etiology; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Subarachnoid haemorrhage; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome; Human; Cardiomyopathy; Subarachnoid hemorrhage; Acute; Cardiovascular disease; Myocardial disease; Syndrome; Left ventricle; Case study; Heart disease; Cardiology; Discussion
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.08.062

Abstract Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently recognised acute cardiac entity. It involves transient left ventricular apical ballooning, which is usually preceded by an episode of physiological or emotional stress. Its presentation may mimic acute myocardial infarction but there is no evidence of obstructive disease at coronary angiography. The aetiology of this condition has not been clearly defined, though a number of hypotheses have been put forward. Precipitating factors vary widely, including acute medical conditions and emotional stressors. We present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy precipitated by acute subarachnoid haemorrhage, the first report of this association in a Caucasian patient, and discuss the implications for clinicians involved in the management of such a case.