Unexpected Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Revealing Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Sepsis: A Case Report

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis (n=1). Intervention: Exploratory laparotomy and surgical drainage. Primary outcome: Clinical stabilization and recovery of cardiac function.

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be triggered by and serve as a clinical manifestation of occult postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Takashi Egashira; Toshiaki Nakamura; Takayuki Miyoshi; Haruka Yamasaki; Ken Taniguchi; Yusuke Kajihara; Masayoshi Takeno

doi:10.70352/scrj.cr.26-0282

January 1, 2026Surgical Case ReportsOpen Access

Unexpected Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Revealing Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Sepsis: A Case Report

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key result

Surgical source control restores cardiac function in postoperative Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by occult sepsis.

n=1

Figures

Why the study?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can occur during postoperative recovery and may reveal occult intra-abdominal sepsis after surgery for generalized peritonitis.

Key Points

Describe a clinical presentation in which delayed-onset Takotsubo cardiomyopathy revealed occult postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis following emergency colorectal surgery.
Clinical, diagnostic, and surgical evaluation of a man in his 60s who underwent emergency total colectomy, high anterior resection, and ileostomy for perforated colon cancer.
Cardiovascular and intra-abdominal diagnostics included 12-lead electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, coronary angiography, left ventricular angiography, contrast-enhanced CT, and exploratory laparotomy.
On postoperative day 5, the patient developed diffuse ST-segment elevation, apical akinesis, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 32%, confirming Takotsubo cardiomyopathy without coronary stenosis.
Exploratory laparotomy on postoperative day 6 revealed rectal stump perforation and diffuse intra-abdominal abscess, managed with primary closure, open abdominal negative pressure therapy, and repeat resection on postoperative day 8.
Following surgical source control, left ventricular ejection fraction improved to 47% on postoperative day 17 and normalized to 60% at outpatient follow-up.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P

Population

A man in his 60s who developed unexpected Takotsubo cardiomyopathy on postoperative day 5, revealing occult intra-abdominal sepsis after surgery for generalized peritonitis.

I

Intervention

Exploratory laparotomy and surgical drainage for intra-abdominal sepsis (rectal stump perforation)

O

Outcome

Recovery of cardiac function and respiratory/circulatory status

Unexpected Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during the postoperative recovery phase may indicate occult intra-abdominal sepsis, highlighting the need for comprehensive clinical reassessment.

Limitations

Single case report
Overlap with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction cannot be entirely excluded
Limitations of relying solely on drain output for postoperative infection surveillance

Implication

Postoperative Takotsubo may signal occult sepsis; single case leaves open whether source control reliably reverses dysfunction.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a transient form of left ventricular dysfunction, typically precipitated by intense physical or emotional stress. We report a case in which TTC developed during the postoperative recovery phase and revealed occult intra-abdominal sepsis after surgery for generalized peritonitis.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Egashira et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis (n=1). Exploratory laparotomy and surgical drainage was evaluated on Clinical stabilization and recovery of cardiac function. Exploratory laparotomy for occult intra-abdominal sepsis in a patient with unexpected postoperative Takotsubo cardiomyopathy led to definitive source control, hemodynamic stabilization, and recovery of cardiac function.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ac19d70aeea5716e8c6c686 https://doi.org/10.70352/scrj.cr.26-0282

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Unexpected Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Revealing Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Sepsis: A Case Report

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Unexpected Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Revealing Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Sepsis: A Case Report

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading