A case of a broken heart: takotsubo cardiomyopathy following anaesthetic induction

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome, is named for echocardiographic features that look like the "tako-tsubo" (octopus trap). While classically associated with older women after experiencing significant emotional distress, it can also occur in paediatrics. Our patient is an 11-year-old male with a complex medical history who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after cardiac arrest during anaesthesia induction. He was successfully resuscitated, but this case highlights an example of an unusual drug interaction and the first of its description in paediatrics.

Keywords: Takotsubo; cardiac arrest; cardiac dysfunction; cardiomyopathy.