title: Diagnostic dilemma: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy versus acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a kind of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by transient apical ballooning of the heart. This often results from sudden, temporary weakening of the myocardium. Initially defined in the absence of coronary artery disease, it has since expanded to involve patients with coronary artery disease. This inclusion is not free of challenges now faced at distinguishing between the two when they occur concomitantly, impacting the therapeutic interventions. We present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy with simultaneous coronary artery disease that responded well to conservative management and resulted in complete recovery of the patient. This reiterates the principle that a case-by-case evaluation of patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy with underlying coronary artery disease needs to be made before an individualized therapeutic approach can be taken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. s.ikram@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Wasiq Faraz
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Rawasia
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pachika
authors.forename: Sohail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikram
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D015897:Comorbidity; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology