title: Nightmare-induced atypical midventricular tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a reversible cardiomyopathy characterized by acute left ventricular segmental dysfunction, whose clinical presentation resembles that of acute myocardial infarction. The syndrome often follows a psychophysical stressful event and is characterized by echocardiographic evidence of akinesia of the left ventricular mid-apical segments. Atypical echocardiographic patterns of TTC have recently been described, often triggered by emotional stressors, rather than physical. In this report, we describe a case of atypical TTC triggered by an unusual stressor (recurrent nightmare) in a 45-year-old woman, with peculiar clinical presentation and evolution characterized by persistent loss of consciousness, neurological deterioration, absence of typical symptoms of TTC, and features suggestive of a hysterical crisis.
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Fibbi
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Piercarlo
authors: P
authors: Ballo
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Nannini
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Consoli
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Chechi
authors: Emergency Department, Serristori Hospital, Figline Valdarno, 50063 Florence, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Bribani
authors: Emergency Department, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Fiorentino
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Leandro
authors: L
authors: Chiodi
authors: Cardiology Unit, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy.
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Zuppiroli