[Tako-Tsubo syndrome (transient antero-apical dyskinesia): first case reported in Latin America and review of the literature]

Abstract

Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TTS) is a recently described entity that can mimic an acute myocardial infarction. It is characterized by anginal chest pain with ST-T elevation in precordial leads, no coronary obstruction on angiography, and as its distinctive feature, a reversible left ventricular antero-apical ballooning with basal hyperkinesis. TTS is more frequent in female and elderly patients and in an article published in 2001 it was mentioned that only two cases had been reported outside Japan. We describe a typical case of recurrent TTS triggered by intense emotional stress. This is the first case reported from Latin America. A review of the literature suggests that TTS is more frequent than previously thought but apparently due to lack of awareness of this entity it can go unrecognized. Identification of TTS is of clinical importance because its management and prognosis differs significantly from that of an acute myocardial infarction that results from the thrombotic occlusion of a coronary atherosclerotic plaque.