[Stroke and Takotsubo syndrome: a reciprocal relationship].
BACKGROUND
Takotsubo syndrome is a transient stress cardiomyopathy associated with a distinctive left ventricular contraction pattern. It has been described as a cardioembolic source or as a consequence of stroke. Two patients are reported that illustrate the reciprocal relationship between Takotsubo syndrome and stroke and the physiopathological mechanisms implicated are analyzed.


METHODS
Two women aged 70 and 78 years respectively are described. The first one was admitted with electro-cardiogram ST-segment elevation, slight troponin elevation and stroke symptoms. Ecocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings were consistent with Takotsubo syndrome that was the probable source of cardioembolic stroke. The second patient suffered a Takotsubo syndrome 72 hours after a brain infarction involving the insular cortex that was considered the trigger of Takotsubo syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Takotsubo syndrome and stroke may have a reciprocal etiological relationship that is suggested by the temporal profile between the two processes. Cardiac magnetic resonance may aid in the establishment of the diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome.
Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 3. E-31008 Pamplona Navarra, España. sergiomirneurologia@hotmail.com
Sergio
S
Mayor-Gómez
María Elena
ME
Erro
Fernando
F
Olaz-Preciado
Mercedes
M
Ciriza-Esandi
Jaime
J
Gállego-Culleré
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D015984:Causality; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D020762:Infarction, Posterior Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography