Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with seizures.
BACKGROUND
Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible neuromyocardial failure that has been thought to be related to an acute catecholamine toxicity of the myocardium brought upon by a stressful event. The neurocritical care unit population is particularly vulnerable for this condition given the acute presentation of neurological emergencies, which most often can be catastrophic. We present a case series of this syndrome and a review of the literature.


METHODS
Our recent experience with three cases that were prospectively identified with the diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome is reported with clinical presentation, evaluation, and management approach. Review of the literature is presented in the discussion.


RESULTS
We present three episodes of Takotsubo neuromyocardial syndrome in two patients that were admitted to our neurointensive care unit that presented with seizures and had typical clinical presentation, echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization findings. All the episodes were treated with vasoactive medications, ventilatory support, afterload and preload reduction, and treatment of the underlying condition. There was complete reversal of their symptoms and findings in each episode.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with critical neurological illnesses such as large ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, status epilepticus, recurrent seizure activities as in our study may be at a higher risk for Takotsubo neuromyocardial syndrome.
Lemke
Denise M
DM
Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
Hussain
Syed I
SI
Wolfe
Thomas J
TJ
Torbey
Michel A
MA
Lynch
John R
JR
Carlin
Ann
A
Fitzsimmons
Brian-Fred M
BF
Zaidat
Osama O
OO
D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications*; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy