Key result
Benzodiazepine withdrawal triggers recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock requiring VA-ECMO and IABP support.
Why the study?
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare cause of acute heart failure, and benzodiazepine withdrawal-induced cases requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are sparsely documented.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Severe recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by cardiogenic shock can be triggered by benzodiazepine withdrawal and successfully managed with prompt implementation of temporary mechanical circulatory support.
Consider benzodiazepine withdrawal in recurrent Takotsubo with shock; extends sparse reports but leaves optimal support open.
BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare cause of acutely decompensated heart failure among patients without pre-existing chronic heart failure. We present a case of recurrent TCM attributed to benzodiazepine withdrawal. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old woman with prior TCM and reverse TCM was admitted for cardiogenic shock after having recently changed her benzodiazepine regimen. She was emergently cannulated for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; transthoracic echocardiography showed an ejection fraction of 10% to 15% with apical hypokinesis. Intra-aortic balloon pump was added as a bridge to decannulation. Her ejection fraction recovered to 60% on discharge. DISCUSSION: Benzodiazepine withdrawal-induced TCM is sparsely reported in the literature, and to our knowledge, no reports of benzodiazepine withdrawal-induced TCM requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation have been documented. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: It is important to recognize the echocardiographic patterns of TCM, consider benzodiazepine withdrawal, and understand the role of mechanical cardiac support in TCM-induced cardiogenic shock.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mahmud et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (n=1). Benzodiazepine withdrawal was evaluated. Benzodiazepine withdrawal induced recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by cardiogenic shock, requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support with VA-ECMO and an intra-aortic balloon pump.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: