A case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that was confirmed by cardiac catheterization at all three times of onset

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a cardiomyopathy associated with emotional and physiological stress which can be recurrent. We report a case of recurrent TTC (total 3 times) induced by emotional stress, which was diagnosed accurately by coronary angiography (CAG) and left ventriculography (LVG). A 77-year-old female was referred to our institute because of stomach ache, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. She had developed TTC associated with emotional stress twice, and she took an angiotensin receptor blocker for preventing recurrence. She was admitted for treatment of electrolyte imbalance. After the admission, she suddenly suffered from chest pain with ST segment elevation in II, III, aVF, V3, V4, V5, and V6 leads in electrocardiography. Emergency CAG showed normal coronary arteries, while LVG revealed apical akinesia and basal hyperkinesia. These findings were compatible with TTC. Follow-up ultrasonic cardiogram showed left ventricular contractile normalization in a week. She was discharged in 22 days. A few cases of repeated recurrence have been reported, but they were not diagnosed by cardiac catheterization. In the present case, 3 episodes of TTC were all diagnosed in CAG and LVG. We suggest that antianxiety drugs have potential to prevent the recurrence of TTC in a case induced by emotional stress.