Diagnosis and treatment of Takotsubo syndrome after liver transplantation and literature review / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the experience of diagnosis and treatment of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of one TTS patient after liver transplantation was retrospectively analyzed. Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment strategies were summarized, and literature review was conducted. Results A 43-year-old female patient successfully underwent split liver transplantation due to primary biliary cirrhosis for 8 years. At postoperative 3 d, the patient developed anxiety, irritation, dyspnea, disorientation, hypotension, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of > 35 000 pg/mL, creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) of 5.9 U/L and troponin I (TnI) of 1.78 μg/L. Electrocardiogram indicated the signs of sinus rhythm. Echocardiography indicated diffuse weakening of the left ventricular wall motion and spherical dilatation of the apex, accompanied with moderate and severe regurgitation of the mitral valve and tricuspid valve. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) declined to 23%, whereas no abnormal segmental motion of ventricular wall or corresponding electrocardiogram changes were observed. The possibility of acute coronary syndrome was excluded. The InterTAK diagnostic score was 73. The diagnosis of TTS after liver transplantation was considered. Metoprolol, coenzyme Q10, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide, deacetyl lanatoside and lorazepam were given. Echocardiography at postoperative 10 d showed that the left ventricular function was significantly improved and the LVEF recovered to 50%. The patient was discharged 40 d after liver transplantation. The liver function was recovered well. During postoperative follow-up, she was given with metoprolol till the submission date, and no recurrence was reported. Conclusions TTS after liver transplantation is rare in clinical practice. It is difficult to make the diagnosis. The condition of TTS is severe and clinical prognosis is poor. Prompt diagnosis and interventions should be implemented.

Neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy: What do we need to know

The interaction between the heart and brain is complex and integral to the maintenance of normal cardiovascular function. Even in the absence of coronary disease, acute neuronal injury can induce a variety of cardiac changes. Recent neuroimaging data revealed a network including the insular cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and amygdala playing a crucial role in the regulation of central autonomic nervous system. Damage in these areas has been associated with arrhythmia, myocardial injury, higher plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide, catecholamines, and glucose. Some patients after brain injury may die due to occult cardiac damage and functional impairment in the acute phase. Heart failure adversely influences acute stroke mortality. Troponin and NT-proBNP are elevated in acute brain injury patients, in response to the activated renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and other neurohumoral changes, as a protective mechanism for sympathoinhibitory activity. Such patients have been shown to be associated with higher short- and long-term mortality. While thrombolysis, neuroprotection, and other measures, alone or in combination, may limit the cerebral damage, attention should also be directed toward the myocardial protection. Early administration of cardioprotective medication aimed at reducing increased sympathetic tone may have a role in myocardial protection in stroke patients. For a full understanding of the brain–heart control, the consequences of disruption of this control, the true incidence of cardiac effects of stroke, and the evidence-based treatment options further research are needed.

A Case of Cardiac Arrest due to Multivessel, Diffuse Coronary Spasm in Moyamoya Disease / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Moyamoya disease is characterized by progressive stenosis of the distal portion of the internal carotid arteries and fragile collateral vessels in the brain. The precise pathogenesis is still not known. Although extracranial vessel involvement is very rare, coronary arterial involvement has recently been reported. Here, we report a case of diffuse, multivessel coronary spasm leading to cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction in a 47-year-old man with moyamoya disease with no underlying emotional or physical stress.

Gender Differences in Clinical Profiles of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Although stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCMP) is reported to be more common in women, little is known about gender differences in patients with SCMP. The aim of the study was to describe clinical features of patients with SCMP according to gender. METHODS: One hundred and three patients diagnosed with definite SCMP at a single tertiary institute from January 1997 to August 2014 were enrolled. SCMP was more common in women than in men. RESULTS: Age at presentation was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.758). Preceding physical stress, especially acute medical illness, was more common in male patients (p = 0.014), whereas emotional stress was more common in female patients (p = 0.016). Severity of medical illness classified by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score at the time of SCMP diagnosis was not significantly different between men and women (p = 0.752). Clinical characteristics, including symptoms, laboratory and electrocardiographic findings, were similar. However, pump failure was more severe in men (p = 0.024). Clinical outcomes were not statistically different (p = 0.220). Preceding physical stress and lower left ventricular systolic function after 2 months were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality for both genders. Women with an APACHE II score ≥ 15 and men with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction after 2 months had a greater risk of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: SCMP was more common in female patients. Female patients more commonly experienced preceding emotional stress, whereas physical stress was more common in male patients. Systolic dysfunction was more severe in men. Long-term clinical outcomes appeared to be similar between men and women.

Recurrent fetal postpartum stress induced cardiomyopathy after normal vaginal delivery / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Stress induced cardiomyopathy is a disease that shows a dysfunction of the ventricle, but it can be rapidly reversible. It often occurs in older women primarily who suffers from emotional or physical stress. There are some case reports about postpartum stress induced cardiomyopathy. Most of the patients are recovered naturally within days to weeks. We report a case of a 37 years-old woman, who had experienced postpartum stress induced cardiomyopathy 8 years ago, revisited hospital because of cardiomyopathy after secondary delivery. Herein we report a rare case of recurrent stress induced cardiomyopathy after secondary normal vaginal delivery.

Ventricular Septal Rupture in a Case Suspected as Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy

An 87-year-old woman with continuous chest discomfort was referred to our hospital. ST-segment elevation in lead V1-4 was detected on electrocardiography and ventricular septal rupture (VSR) was observed on echocardiography. Post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) VSR was suspected and she underwent emergency cardiac catheterization. However, coronary angiography showed normal coronary artery. On the fourth day after admission, the patient died. We suspect that VSR was developed by stress induced cardiomyopathy, not by AMI.

Biventricular Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated with Epilepsy

We describe a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an elderly woman after status epilepticus. In an emergency echocardiography, not only left ventricular apical ballooning but also right ventricular apical hypokinesia was observed. After a medical management, the patient's condition was improved and a follow-up echocardiography showed substantial recovery of left and right ventricular apical ballooning.

Gastrointestinal Pain Suspected a Stressor Leading to the Onset of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.

Aims: To investigate a case of the mid-ventricular variant of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), stress-induced cardiomyopathy, and evaluate if gastrointestinal pain may also contribute to this cardiomyopathy. Presentation of Case: A 73-year-old female was admitted for severe abdominal pain, found to have positive cardiac biomarkers and ischemic ECG changes and was diagnosed with mid-ventricular TTC after non-invasive and invasive investigation. Discussion: There are many variants of TTC that was found in a literature review. We demonstrated a unique variant of TTC that occurred of a significant emotional stressor with acute abdominal pain. Conclusion: Not much detail is known about the variants TTC. Investigators must continue to study TTC so that physicians can more effectively diagnose, treat, and manage patients who present the condition. We suspect that gastrointestinal illness was the physical stressor that contributed to the onset of our patients TTC in a setting of ongoing emotional distress and should be on the differential as an eitology.

A Case of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Sheehan's Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Cardiogenic shock after stress-induced cardiomyopathy is very rare and serious, and a reversible, clinical consequence of untreated adrenal insufficiency that is attributable to Sheehan's syndrome. A 53-year-old female presented with confusion, congestive heart failure, and hypotension. Endocrine testing, prior medical history, and brain MRI confirmed the presence of hypopituitarism and secondary adrenal insufficiency owing to undiagnosed Sheehan's syndrome. After glucocorticoid replacement therapy, her cardiac function recovered completely. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy should be considered as a possible cause of unexplained heart failure in patients with Sheehan's syndrome and adrenal insufficiency.

Atypical Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery With Septoplasty in an Elderly Male Patient

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is caused by emotional or physical stressors and mimics acute myocardial infarction. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute, reversible left ventricular apical ballooning without significant coronary artery stenosis. New variants of stress-induced cardiomyo pathy with localized wall motion abnormalities or an inverted pattern with a hyperdynamic apex have been reported. We present a rare case of a sudden cardiac arrest due to atypical stress-induced cardiomyopathy (mucosal packing and the injection of epinephrine) in an elderly male patient during elective endoscopic sinus surgery with septoplasty under local anesthesia. In this case, only the basal and midportions of the left ventricle were affected, whereas the apex was completely spared. The patient rapidly and completely recovered without sequelae.

Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy as a Complication of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation / 대한내과학회지

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a disease characterized by acute transient left ventricular dysfunction following exposure to stressful situations. We encountered an 80-year-old woman with complete atrioventricular block and normal LV systolic function. After permanent pacemaker implantation, electrocardiogram showed inverted T-waves in precordial leads. Follow-up echocardiographic findings indicated dyskinesia of the apical wall. Final diagnosis was stress-induced cardiomyopathy associated with a physically stressful condition (i.e., pacemaker implantation).

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy after negative pressure pulmonary edema during emergence from anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) presenting as an acute myocardial dysfunction is characterized by transient left ventricular wall motion abnormality, which has been known to be associated with excessive catecholamine production caused due to various types of stress. Sympathetic hyperactivity is common during the perioperative period, and reports of SICM occurring during this period have actually increased. We present a case of SICM following negative pressure pulmonary edema due to upper airway obstruction during emergence from anesthesia. Excessive catecholamine release in response to respiratory difficulty could have been the underlying inciting factor.

Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy as a Complication of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation / 대한내과학회지

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a disease characterized by acute transient left ventricular dysfunction following exposure to stressful situations. We encountered an 80-year-old woman with complete atrioventricular block and normal LV systolic function. After permanent pacemaker implantation, electrocardiogram showed inverted T-waves in precordial leads. Follow-up echocardiographic findings indicated dyskinesia of the apical wall. Final diagnosis was stress-induced cardiomyopathy associated with a physically stressful condition (i.e., pacemaker implantation).

APACHE II Score, Rather Than Cardiac Function, May Predict Poor Prognosis in Patients With Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

While the disease course of stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is usually benign, it can be fatal. The prognostic factors to predict poorer outcome are not well established, however. We analyzed the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score to assess its value for predicting poor prognosis in patients with SIC. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with SIC were followed prospectively during their hospitalization. Clinical factors, including APACHE II score, coronary angiogram, echocardiography and cardiac enzymes at presentation were analyzed. Of the 37 patients, 27 patients (73%) were women. The mean age was 66.1 +/- 15.6 yr, and the most common presentation was chest pain (38%). Initial echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was 42.5% +/- 9.3%, and the wall motion score index (WMSI) was 1.9 +/- 0.3. Six patients (16%) expired during the follow-up period of hospitalization. Based on the analysis of characteristics and clinical factors, the only predictable variable in prognosis was APACHE II score. The patients with APACHE II score greater than 20 had tendency to expire than the others (P = 0.001). Based on present study, APACHE II score more than 20, rather than cardiac function, is associated with mortality in patients with SIC.

Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy following Pacemaker Implantation

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called apical ballooning syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a unique reversible cardiomyopathy that is frequently precipitated by a stressful event, and is described as a typical form of acute transient left ventricular dysfunction. The classic situation is postmenopausal women presenting with chest pain or dyspnea. The overall prognosis is favorable. We report a case of a 75-year-old female patient who came to our hospital with dizziness, which was found to be caused by transient apical ballooning following permanent pacemaker implantation.

A Case of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Mimicking Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy; Demonstration of Typical Echocardiographic Finding Correlated with Unusual Distribution of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCMP) is diagnosed in 1-2% of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Because of sharing many common clinical features with SCMP, acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be misdiagnosed as SCMP. However, it can be associated with fatal outcome of the patient. Also, diagnosis of SCMP seems to be always challenging to clinicians, especially in the decision of taking coronary angiography which is still invasive and even risky. Here, we present a case with acute STEMI mimicking SCMP as a result of anatomical variation of coronary circulation. In this patient, prompt and early coronary angiography and stent implantation was very helpful.

Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy after Local Infiltration of Epinephrine for Plastic Surgery in Young Adult

PURPOSE: Epinephrine itself exhibits some cardiotoxicity. However, it rarely induces cardiomyopathy when used in standard doses during surgery for local hemostasis. This paper reports a rare case of stress-induced cardiomyopathy in a young woman after the local infiltration of epinephrine. METHODS: Corrective rhinoplasty was planned in a 20-year-old woman. Lidocaine mixed with epinephrine 1:100,000 was injected around the skin of the nose and nasal septum after inducing anesthesia, which resulted in sinus tachycardia and hypotension. Postoperative ECG showed a T wave inversion in the lead V2 and echocardiography revealed transient hypokinesia in the cardiac apex. Cardiac enzyme was mildly elevated. RESULTS: Symptoms and laboratory findings improved considerably, and the patient was discharged from hospital without complications on the sixth day after surgery. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy is generally favorable. However, it is important to be aware of the possible adverse effects of local epinephrine infiltration. This case highlights the need for caution when using epinephrine.

Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy Associated with Swine Influenza Infection Which Exacerbated Underlying Emphysema: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) is an acute cardiac condition that causes left ventricular apical ballooning which mimicks acute coronary syndrome. The risk of in-hospital mortality with SICM is generally low (1% to 3%) and supportive care is usually sufficient for resolution. Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1, S-OIV) is a recently spreading pandemic and a serious public health problem. Although most S-OIV infections have a mild, self-limited course, clinical cases resulting in fatalities and associated with variable co-morbidities remain as a serious concern in some individuals. Among such serious complications, there have been few reports of SICM caused by S-OIV infection. We herein report, for the first time in the literature, a case with fatal hemodynamic instability secondary to SICM caused by S-OIV infection with viral pneumonia.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Mimicking Atypical Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Patient with Panhypopituitarism

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is frequently confused with acute coronary syndromes. We encountered a 64-year old female patient with panhypopituitarism initially suspected as atypical stress-induced cardiomyopathy due to her history and initial echocardiographic findings. She was finally diagnosed as non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction based on the findings of coronary angiogram, intravascular ultrasound and subsequent echocardiogram.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Induced after Postoperative ICU Care: Case Reports / 대한구급학회지

'Takotsubo cardiomyopathy' or 'stress-induced cardiomyopathy' is a newly described clinical entity that's characterized by transient left ventricular apical ballooning and left ventricular apical dyskinesis in the absence of any angiographic feature of significant coronary artery disease. The cause of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is unclear, but catecholamines probably play a role in the genesis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We report here on two cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy that occurred during ICU care.