© 2007 European Society of Cardiology
Tako-Tsubo-like syndrome during anaphylactic reaction
a Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Immunology and Cellular Therapy, University of Florence Policlinico di Careggi, Viale Morgagni, 85; 50134 Florence, Italy
b Department of Biomedicine, Immunoallergology Unit Policlinico di Careggi, Florence, Italy
c Department of Heart and Vessels, Unit of General Cardiology Policlinico di Careggi, Florence, Italy
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 055/4296426; fax: +39 055/412867. E-mail address: alevultaggio{at}hotmail.com
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Tako-Tsubo's syndrome (apical ballooning or broken heart syndrome) is a reversible left ventricular dysfunction due to apical asynergy that occurs typically after sudden emotional stress in a subject without coronary disease. It is characterized by acute onset of chest pain or dyspnoea or both and is associated with electrocardiographic changes such as ST segment elevation and/or T wave inversion. Myocardial biomarkers may be normal or slightly elevated.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalized hypersensitivity reaction, most often starting with urticaria and/or angioedema, that may involve cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Cardiovascular symptoms, including hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia and chest pain, are presumably linked to cardiac mast cell mediator release. We describe the case of a young woman who experienced a profound reversible cardiomyopathy with typical features of Tako-Tsubo's syndrome during an anaphylactic reaction.
Key Words: Tako-Tsubo's syndrome • Heart failure • Anaphylaxis
Received December 16, 2005; Revised April 8, 2006; Accepted May 15, 2006