Open AccessAtypical Presentation of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in an Elderly Woman
Author(s) -
Priya Arunachalam,
Nina Manian,
Lamees I. El Nihum,
Saleem Toro,
John M. Buergler
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
methodist debakey cardiovascular journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.552
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1947-6094
pISSN - 1947-6108
DOI - 10.14797/mdcvj.1100
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardial effusion , emergency department , cardiomyopathy , cardiac tamponade , presentation (obstetrics) , cardiology , tamponade , heart failure , surgery , psychiatry
We describe an 83-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with extreme thirst. Diagnostic testing revealed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Following symptomatic improvement and discharge, she returned to the emergency department with exudative pericardial effusion and elevated intrapericardial pressures. This case illustrates the importance of close follow-up of Takotsubo patients in whom complications such as pericardial effusion may lead to cardiac tamponade and hemodynamic instability if not managed properly.