The Role of Early Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in a Not-So-Typical Presentation of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2017
Source:The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Author(s): Jithin G. Varghese, Qurat-ul-ain Jelani, Stuart Zarich, Brooks Walsh
BackgroundFocused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) can be extremely helpful in identifying unexpected diagnoses that can significantly alter treatment options. The diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) may be difficult to identify.Case ReportWe describe a 47-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with atypical features of TCM. Her clinical features included being a premenopausal woman with mild chest pain with a lack of identifiable emotional or physical stressors or significant electrocardiographic changes. Initial findings on FoCUS were consistent with TCM, with these findings replicated on repeat bedside echo performed in the ED by the cardiology fellow. A subsequent comprehensive echo showed marked improvement of the TCM pattern within 24 hours.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?TCM may present in younger women or men, without obvious preceding physical or emotional stressors and with nonspecific ECG findings. FoCUS performed in the ED may suggest a diagnosis of TCM in patients with chest pain or dyspnea of uncertain etiology. The performance of FoCUS, as highlighted by this case report, can lead to timely intervention and follow-up of a variety of cardiac conditions.



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