Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Pathophysiology May Also Affect the Gut

Abstract

In this report, we describe a patient who presented with transient acute abdomen before the onset of an acute myocardial ischemic event. Chest pain, dyspnea, and hypotension requiring vasopressors developed 2 days after the patient presented with paralytic ileus. Transient left-bundle-branch block and mildly elevated troponin and brain-natriuretic peptide levels occurred. Echocardiography and left ventricular angiography revealed extensive periapical akinesia and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% that soon returned to normal. This case illustrates the possibility that a com-mon mechanism may help explain both transient functional events. We believe this presentation scenario could occur more frequently than usually assumed and should prompt further investigation in this regard.