Like mother like daughter : a case report of simultaneous mother-daughter Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by a house fire

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a rare but well-described reversible cardiomyopathy, the pathogenesis of which is still not fully understood. It is typically characterised by transient left ventricular (LV) impairment with apical ballooning, although variants involving the mid-ventricular and basal LV, as well as the right ventricle have been described. Usually triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, it is commoner in post-menopausal women. Its presentation mimics that of acute myocardial infarction with chest pain and/or dyspnoea, ECG changes and a rise in cardiac enzymes, however occlusive coronary artery disease is absent and the LV impairment resolves after a short period of time.