Recurrent right ventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with recurrent aspiration.

ABSTRACT

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is described as transient hypokinesis of the apical and mid-segments of the left ventricle with hypercontractile basal segments triggered by emotional or physical stress. Variants with basal hypokinesis and apical hyperkinesis have been described, as well as simultaneous involvement of the right ventricle (RV). Proposed mechanisms include myocardial "stunning" due to excessive catecholamine release. The echocardiographic presentation of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be related to differences in regional sympathetic innervation and catecholamine receptor density in the myocardium in the setting of high levels of circulating catecholamines. We describe the first case of isolated, recurrent RV Takotsubo cardiomyopathy reported in the literature.