Takotsubo syndrome and complete heart block, which came first? A case report

TY - JOUR

T1 - Takotsubo syndrome and complete heart block, which came first? A case report

AU - Nadeem, Mohammad Khurram

AU - Walsh, Jason Leo

AU - Davies, Simon

AU - Behar, Jonathan M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

PY - 2022/1/1

Y1 - 2022/1/1

N2 - Background: In 2018, the European Society of Cardiology published two consensus documents on takotsubo syndrome (TTS), which include the current consensus on nomenclature, diagnosis, management, and complications. However, little is mentioned on the association with complete heart block (CHB), except that 'AV block [occurs in] 2.9% of cases'. Complete heart block is a recognized rare association of TTS, but causation is often unclear. Does CHB trigger TTS or vice-versa? Here, we present a case of TTS associated with CHB. Case summary: An 89-year-old woman presented with a transient loss of consciousness, acute chest pain, and dyspnoea. A few days prior to this her daughter died suddenly of a myocardial infarction. On presentation, troponin levels were elevated, the electrocardiogram showed CHB with a broad QRS and an echo showed apical akinesis and ballooning. Angiographic investigation excluded significant coronary artery disease. A dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted after a brief period of temporary pacing. Ventricular function normalized during follow-up and her underlying rhythm remained CHB. Discussion: Takotsubo syndrome may be triggered by both emotional and physical stressors. Complete heart block is recognized association, but causation is often unclear. In our case, a clear emotional trigger was identified suggesting the TTS may have precipitated CHB not vice versa.

AB - Background: In 2018, the European Society of Cardiology published two consensus documents on takotsubo syndrome (TTS), which include the current consensus on nomenclature, diagnosis, management, and complications. However, little is mentioned on the association with complete heart block (CHB), except that 'AV block [occurs in] 2.9% of cases'. Complete heart block is a recognized rare association of TTS, but causation is often unclear. Does CHB trigger TTS or vice-versa? Here, we present a case of TTS associated with CHB. Case summary: An 89-year-old woman presented with a transient loss of consciousness, acute chest pain, and dyspnoea. A few days prior to this her daughter died suddenly of a myocardial infarction. On presentation, troponin levels were elevated, the electrocardiogram showed CHB with a broad QRS and an echo showed apical akinesis and ballooning. Angiographic investigation excluded significant coronary artery disease. A dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted after a brief period of temporary pacing. Ventricular function normalized during follow-up and her underlying rhythm remained CHB. Discussion: Takotsubo syndrome may be triggered by both emotional and physical stressors. Complete heart block is recognized association, but causation is often unclear. In our case, a clear emotional trigger was identified suggesting the TTS may have precipitated CHB not vice versa.

KW - Case report

KW - Complete heart block

KW - Stress-induced cardiomyopathy

KW - Takotsubo syndrome

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125349568&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab500

DO - 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab500

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85125349568

SN - 2514-2119

VL - 6

JO - European Heart Journal - Case Reports

JF - European Heart Journal - Case Reports

IS - 1

M1 - ytab500

ER -