Heart broken. An unusual case of biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by STEMI and Left ventricular thrombi. A case report

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare occurrence in patients with troponin-positive acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It usually manifests as transient apical ballooning of the left ventricle with concomitant occurrence of right ventricular involvement in only one-third of cases. Biventricular TCM is associated with more hemodynamic instability as compared to left sided alone. Depressed ventricular systolic function and localized ventricular dyskinesis can facilitate clot formation in ventricular cavity. We present a case of 80-year-old man who presented to the ED for evaluation of hypotension. An electrocardiogram suggested acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. He underwent emergent coronary angiography and was found to have mid to apical akinesis and basal hyperkinesis with normal left coronaries and chronic total right coronary artery occlusion with excellent collaterals from left. A transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed left ventricular ejection fraction 25-30% and akinesis of left and right ventricle except in the basal region. TTE with definity showed sessile thrombus. In our patient, sepsis was the most important triggering factor given initial presentation of hypotension with leukocytosis. Broad spectrum antibiotics including vancomycin and Zosyn were started considering a combination of septic and cardiogenic shock. Repeat EKG showed resolution of ST-T segment elevation but our patient remained hemodynamically unstable even with two pressure support and, ultimately, died 72 hours after admission. Herein, we emphasize on the importance right ventricular involvement and its relation to hemodynamic instability. This case highlights the importance of anticipating hemodynamic instability and clot formation in patients with biventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.