The Stressed Heart: A Case Report of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With Known Coronary Artery Disease

Cureus. 2023 Mar 17;15(3):e36277. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36277. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and acute coronary syndrome are often clinically indistinguishable, making their differentiation challenging for physicians. We present a case of a 65-year-old female who presented with acute chest pain, shortness of breath, and a recent psychosocial stressor. This is a unique case in which our patient, with known history of coronary artery disease and recent percutaneous intervention, favored a misleading initial diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Keywords: apical dyskinesis; cardiac chest pain; coronary artery disease; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; stress cardiomyopathy; takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports