scholarly journals Vulnerable personality and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy consequent to emotional stressful events: a clinical case report

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Compare ◽  
Riccardo Proietti ◽  
Domenico Del Forno ◽  
Alessandra Vitelli ◽  
Alessandra Grieco ◽  
...  

Introduction: Although the onset of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) can be triggered by an acute, intense emotional stress, the exact pathogenic mechanisms still remain undefined. Presentation: A 58-year-old female was sent by ambulance to the Emergency Department (ED) for chest pain and ST elevations on ECG. Her chest pain began 3 hours before on admission after a domestic argument. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed severe systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 20%. Cardiac catheterization revealed no significant coronary artery disease. The left ventriculogram showed apical ballooning with hyperdynamic proximal segments. A diagnosis of Takotsubo Cardiomyophaty (TTC) was made according to the Mayo Clinic 2008 criteria. The patient evolved with improvement of her condition and, therefore, was discharged from the hospital. Follow-up echocardiogram seven days later showed normal LV size and function with ejection fraction (EF) of 43%. Paykel Life Stress Event Scale identified as emotional trigger a domestic argument occurred 3 hours before symptom onset. History showed a major life stress event, death of a loved one, six months before symptoms. The patient underwent psychological assessment after hospital discharge by Emotional Regulation Questionnaire and BDI showing high suppression/ low reappraisal profile and moderate depression. Conclusion: This case highlights the hypothesis of a possible link between cognitive emotional processing and vulnerability to Takotsubo syndrome.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Allen ◽  
Ahmed Edhi ◽  
Adam Hafeez ◽  
Alexandra Halalau

Hepatitis A is a common viral infection with a benign course but in rare cases can progress to acute liver failure. It usually presents with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, anorexia, or asymptomatically, but it can also present atypically with relapsing hepatitis and prolonged cholestasis. In addition, extrahepatic manifestations have been reported, including urticarial and maculopapular rash, acute kidney injury, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, acute pancreatitis, mononeuritis, reactive arthritis, glomerulonephritis, cryoglobulinemia, Guillain–Barre syndrome, and pleural or pericardial effusion. A rare manifestation of hepatitis A is acute myocarditis. We report a case of a young woman who presented with “flu-like symptoms” and was found to have severe elevation of liver enzymes due to acute hepatitis A infection. On her 3rd day of admission, the patient developed chest pain and nonspecific electrocardiographic changes. Her troponins rose to 16.4  ng/mL, and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed global hypokinesis and a depressed ejection fraction at 30%. A CT angiography showed no evidence of significant coronary artery disease. The patient was managed supportively, and symptoms and laboratory findings slowly improved over the next 7 days. Her chest pain resolved and a follow-up echocardiogram showed improved ejection fraction to 45%.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Mrejen-Shakin ◽  
Ricardo Lopez ◽  
Mohandas M Shenoy ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  

Objective:To report a case of seizure-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy with rare etiology and rarer complications.Methods:A 50-year-old woman had multiple epileptic seizures and later developed acute heart failure complicated by ventricular fibrillation and shock. A two-dimensional echocardiogram revealed apical ballooning of the left ventricle resembling a takotsubo (a Japanese fisherman's pot used to trap octopi). The apex was also hypokinetic.Results:The hemodynamic abnormalities normalized with defibrillation, assisted ventilation, inotropic support, and pressor agents. More importantly, the apical ballooning deformity and systolic dysfunction reversed. The echocardiogram normalized three months later. A nuclear treadmill stress test was negative for ischemia.Conclusions:Apical ballooning of the left ventricle and hypokinesis are typical echocardiographic features in takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a stress-induced heart disease. It may follow severe emotional, physical, and neurologic stressors, in our rare case, grand mal seizures (0.2 % of all takotsubo disease patients). Also rare are life-threatening complications. Based on these observations, in a case with severe stress followed by acute heart failure, takotsubo cardiomyopathy should be a major diagnostic consideration. The dramatic initial triggering event, in our case an epileptic seizure, should not mask the possibility of coexisting takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Awareness of this disease, anticipation of complications, and two-dimensional echocardiography will help channel the management in the right direction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-246
Author(s):  
Dipesh Ludhwani ◽  
Belaal Sheikh ◽  
Vasu K Patel ◽  
Khushali Jhaveri ◽  
Mohammad Kizilbash ◽  
...  

Background: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an uncommon cause of acute reversible ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Typically manifesting as apical wall ballooning, TTC can rarely present atypically with apical wall sparing. Case report: A 62-year-old female presented with complaints of chest pain and features mimicking acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiogram revealed no obstructive CAD and left ventriculogram showed reduced ejection fraction, normal left ventricular apex and hypokinetic mid-ventricles consistent with atypical TTC. The patient was discharged home on heart failure medications and a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated improved left ventricular function with no wall motion abnormality. Conclusion: This case report provides an insight into the diagnosis and management of TTC in the absence of pathognomic features.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 423-423
Author(s):  
Meredith Troutman-Jordan

Abstract Aging presents change in the form of opportunities and challenges, from common physical alterations, to major life events. Perception of such events is greatly shaped by one’s mental health, and is a major influence on gerotranscendence, a positive kind of aging involving redefinition of self, relationships, and proposed to be a precursor to successful aging. A mixed-methods cross-sectional descriptive design was used to study 50 older adults. Life Events Checklist, Gerotranscendence Scale, Herth Hope Index, and Successful Aging Inventory were administered. Mean participant age was 70.78 years; there were 9 males (18%), 41 females (82%), 13 were Black (26%), and 37 were White (74%). Participants reported a number of stressful events, most frequently transportation accidents, followed by other very stressful events or experiences, and sudden unexpected death of someone close. Gerotranscendence scores ranged from 0-10 (µ 6.88, a moderate score). Successful aging scores ranged from 40-79 (µ 62.33, a moderate score). A sub-sample of 6 participants engaged in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and subject to content analysis. Faith, displaced longing, temporal anticipation, proactive problem-solving/coping, and concern for future generations were emergent qualitative themes. Findings highlight opportunities for providers from multiple disciplines to target risks and possibilities for aging successfully and to promote hope, optimism, problem-solving skills, and gerotranscendence in all older adults, regardless of physical or functional health status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Borrelli ◽  
P Sciarrone ◽  
F Gentile ◽  
N Ghionzoli ◽  
G Mirizzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Central apneas (CA) and obstructive apneas (OA) are highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) both with reduced and preserved systolic function. However, a comprehensive evaluation of apnea prevalence across HF according to ejection fraction (i.e HF with patients with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction- HFrEf, HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively) throughout the 24 hours has never been done before. Materials and methods 700 HF patients were prospectively enrolled and then divided according to left ventricular EF (408 HFrEF, 117 HFmrEF, 175 HFpEF). All patients underwent a thorough evaluation including: 2D echocardiography; 24-h Holter-ECG monitoring; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; neuro-hormonal assessment and 24-h cardiorespiratory monitoring. Results In the whole population, prevalence of normal breathing (NB), CA and OA at daytime was 40%, 51%, and 9%, respectively, while at nighttime 15%, 55%, and 30%, respectively. When stratified according to left ventricular EF, CA prevalence decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF and HFpEF: (daytime CA: 57% vs. 43% vs. 42%, respectively, p=0.001; nighttime CA: 66% vs. 48% vs. 34%, respectively, p<0.0001), while OA prevalence increased (daytime OA: 5% vs. 8% vs. 18%, respectively, p<0.0001; nighttime OA: 20 vs. 29 vs. 53%, respectively, p<0.0001). When assessing moderte-severe apneas, defined with an apnea/hypopnea index >15 events/hour, prevalence of CA was again higher in HFrEF than HFmrEF and HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe CA: 28% vs. 19% and 23%, respectively, p<0.05) and at nighttime (nighttime moderate-severe CA: 50% vs. 39% and 28%, respectively, p<0.05). Conversely, moderate-severe OA decreased from HFrEF to HFmrEF to HFpEF both at daytime (daytime moderate-severe OA: 1% vs. 3% and 8%, respectively, p<0.05) and nighttime (noghttime moderate-severe OA: 10% vs. 11% and 30%, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions Daytime and nighttime apneas, both central and obstructive in nature, are highly prevalent in HF regardless of EF. Across the whole spectrum of HF, CA prevalence increases and OA decreases as left ventricular systolic dysfunction progresses, both during daytime and nighttime. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Sara ◽  
JJ Monteiro ◽  
P Carvalho ◽  
C Ribeiro Carvalho ◽  
J Chemba ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Plasma levels and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT- proBNP), a cardiac neurohormone released in response to increased ventricular stress, represent an important predictor of clinical outcomes and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction; Although, its diagnostic and prognostic role in patients with acute myocarditis is not completely established; Our aim was to evaluate the relationship of BNP levels and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with myocarditis; Methods Data from patients (pts) discharged with the diagnosis of myocarditis, from 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Results 62 pts were included. Mean age was 39.7 17 years and 89% (58 patients) were men. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP measured at admission ranged from 24 to 3110 pg/mL (median 514, IQR 947), and exceeded upper normal levels in 51 pts (82%). This values positively correlated with C- reactive protein (CRP) (p= 0.005, r = 0.36), leucocytes (p = 0.03, r= 0.37) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p= 0.05, r= 0.35), but not with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p= 0.829). Higher levels of BNP were associated with higher troponin peak levels but not with increased mortality (p = 0.811), need of inotropic support (p= 0.059) or arrhythmic events (p= 0.130). Inflammatory parameters were significantly increased when BNP> 514 pg/mL vs BNP <514 pg/mL (CRP 7.2 vs 4 mg/dL, p= 0.008). This relationship was maintained at BNP > 900. LVEF was comparable in both groups (p = 0.938); In this population, the magnitude of recovery of the NT- proBNP values (variation between NT-proBNP at admission and discharge) strongly correlated with the magnitude of the inflammatory markers at admission (all p < 0,005) Conclusion In patients with acute myocarditis, there is a significant relationship between NT-proBNP levels and inflammation (as measured by leucocytes, NLR or CRP), but not with LVEF; Despite the limitation of a small sample size, we could hypothesize that NTproBNP in this subset of patients appears to be regulated not only by hemodynamic changes but also by the underlying systemic inflammatory process and, therefore, it interpretation should take that into account;


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik Selvaraj ◽  
◽  
Pranjali Bansal ◽  
Akshay Singh ◽  
Sushma Viswanathan ◽  
...  

Background: Contemporary literature focuses on various socio-demographic, clinical profile and psychiatric comorbitidies in patients with first attempt suicide. Aim: 1. To study the socio-demographic factors and the clinical profile of subjects with the first attempt suicide. 2. To assess the severity of depression and severity of stress due to various stressful events in patients with first attempt suicide. 3. To assess the severity of the suicide intent in patients with first attempt suicide. 4. To study the association between socio demographic profile of the patients with severity of depression, severity of suicide intent and severity of stress. Materials and Methods: Hundred fifteen patients were assessed using Hamilton rating scale for depression, becks suicide intent scale, Holmes-Rahe life stress inventory, MINI international neuropsychiatric interview. The data was analysed using the statistical software SPSS version 20. Results: The sample of 115 patients showed mean age to be 29 years, majority of them being males (58%). With most common mode of attempting suicide to be drug overdose and most of the patients had adjustment issues due to various domestic household issues and financial stressors. The severity of depression was mild and suicide intent were low (67%). In our study chi square finding association between various socio demographic variables and severity of depression found to be highly significant. It was strongest among gender at p value 0.009, occupation in which depression was found mostly among employed patients and housewives at p value 0.001. Results also found depression more common among participants with urban background at p value 0.03 and family type being nuclear at p value 0.05. Conclusion: Promoting healthy coping mechanism and reduction in stress is required to reduce self-harm. As is evident from the study, modifying the interpersonal relationship problems in the family might help in preventing many of suicide attempts/intentional self-harm and therefore important to address their various life events that might be stressful for them forcing them to take this step. In a country like India, where formal mental health resources are limited and are attached to a stigma, it is important to provide adequate information also among people hailing from lower economic status.


Kardiologiia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
E. K. Serezhina ◽  
A. G. Obrezan

This systematic review is based on 19 studies from Elsevier, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, which were found by the following keywords: LA strain (left atrial strain), STE (speckle tracking echocardiography), HF (heart failure), and HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction). The review focuses on results and conclusions of studies on using the 2D echocardiographic evaluation of left atrial (LA) myocardial strain for early diagnosis of HFpEF in routine clinical practice. Analysis of the studies included into this review showed a significant decline of all LA functions in patients with HFpEF. Also, multiple studies have reported associations between decreased indexes of LA strain and old age, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and LV diastolic dysfunction. Thus, the review indicates significant possibilities of using indexes of LA strain in evaluation of early stages of both systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction. Notably, LA functional systolic and diastolic indexes are not sufficiently studied despite their growing significance for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with HFpEF. For this reason, in addition to existing models for risk stratification in this disease, including clinical characteristics and/or echocardiographic data, future studies should focus on these parameters. 


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