Takotsubo syndrome. Usefulness of Nuclear Medicine studies

Abstract

Takotsubo syndrome can mimic an acute myocardial infarction. It is characterized by anginal chest pain with ST elevation in precordial leads, no coronary obstruction on angiography, and typical and reversible deformation of the left ventricular due to antero-apical ballooning with basal hyperkinesis. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is uncertain. It is probably multifactorial, cardiac adrenergic nervous dysfunction standing out in the acute phase. We report two cases performed within the diagnostic context of Takotsubo syndrome. Cardiac SPECT was performed using ¹²³I Metaiodobenzlguanidine (MIBG) and ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin and the results of two cases were adrenergic denervation in the anterior wall without alterations in myocardial perfusion study. Identification of Takotsubo syndrome is of clinical importance because its management and prognosis differ significantly from that of acute myocardial infarction.