title: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an elderly patient with severe Alzheimer's disease: a case report.
abstract: We report on an 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease who presented with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. As usual for this condition, our patient showed clinical symptoms of chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, elevated myocardial markers, and transient left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. Because Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is frequently associated with emotional stress, which triggers an increase in circulating catecholamines, our case suggests that this event should not be neglected in Alzheimer's disease patients and promotes the adoption of a "prosthetic" approach for individuals with dementia.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, Geriatric Clinic, University of Milan-Bicocca and San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Anna Paola
authors: AP
authors: Cerri
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: Teruzzi
authors: Marianna
authors: M
authors: Gregorio
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Bellelli
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Annoni
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control