Reverse takotsubo induced cardiogenic shock in the peripartum period: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare variant of a rare disease characterized by basal ballooning and dysfunction of the left ventricle. While it can render patients profoundly unwell and reliant on intensivist care, it is a transient phenomenon, with the worst symptoms subsiding after 2-3 days. At term, a young woman spontaneously entered labor prior to a planned repeat cesarean section. After experiencing physical and psychological distress during labor and a vacuum extraction, she developed cardiogenic shock from reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy, quickly diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiogram. She required 2 days of intensive care support and made an excellent recovery. This very rare condition should be considered in systemically unwell women in the peripartum as it can be quickly diagnosed, providing patients with the best appropriate care.

Keywords: cardiogenic shock; cardiomyopathy; instrumental birth; labor; obstetrics; peripartum; takotsubo.