Syndrome de vasoconstriction cérébrale réversible et cardiomyopathie de Tako-Tsubo : une association fortuite ?

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of thunderclap headaches and the presence of reversible cerebral vasospasm. The syndrome is usually diagnosed after other possible conditions have been ruled out. Triggering factors are present in half of cases. In the absence of stroke (and depending on the underlying etiology), the prognosis is good. Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible myocardial illness that mimics an acute coronary syndrome and is often triggered by emotional stress. The coronary arteries are healthy but patients show typical morphological and functional features of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. After the acute phase, the prognosis is good. Here, we describe the case of a woman who successively displayed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy. This observation suggested a possible pathophysiological link and prompted us to review the features shared by these two conditions.