Korean Circ J.  2011 Feb;41(2):101-104. 10.4070/kcj.2011.41.2.101.

Takotsubo-Like Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Cesarean Delivery in a 28-Year Old Woman

• Kim SY
• Yoon JH
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2225143
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2011.41.2.101

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically affects post-menopausal women who experience severe psychological or physical stress. It can also develop after medical procedures or surgery. Although the underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated, catecholamine overload is one of the most plausible etiologies. Herein we report a case of takotsubo-like left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in a 28-year old woman who underwent Cesarean delivery. She presented with acute heart failure and pulmonary edema immediately after the delivery. Her echocardiography showed severe LV dysfunction and apical ballooning. This case is clinically and pathophysiologically similar to peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Keyword

Postpartum period; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Cesarean section; Heart failure

MeSH Terms

Cardiomyopathies
Cesarean Section
Echocardiography
Female
Heart Failure
Humans
Peripartum Period
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Edema
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Chest X-ray on admission showed bilateral pulmonary edema.

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  Fig. 2 Twelve-lead electrocardiogram on admission showed sinus tachycardia and ST-T-wave change.

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  Fig. 3 Baseline echocardiography recorded at the end of diastole (A) and systole (B). It revealed severely reduced global left ventricular systolic ejection with preserved base function. A follow-up echocardiography at the end of diastole (C) and systole (D) performed at the outpatient clinic 2 weeks later showed nearly normalized cardiac function.

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