[New-onset left bundle branch block as an early electrocardiographic feature of takotsubo cardiomyopathy]

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently described syndrome characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction, chest pain, ST-segment elevation, and minor elevation in serum levels of cardiac enzymes, in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. ST-segment elevation is the most common electrocardiographic finding on the admission ECG of patients, followed by evolutionary T-wave inversions. We report a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy characterized by the unusual feature of a new onset transient left bundle branch block as first electrocardiographic manifestation. New left bundle branch block increases heterogeneity in the broad spectrum of electrocardiographic findings of takotsubo syndrome, contributing to ambiguity in the early recognition and affecting potential management strategies.