Stroke and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: is there more than just cause and effect?

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been described as a consequence of stroke or a cardioembolic source of stroke. We present the case of a 43 year-old woman who suffered from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and subsequently developed a large left cerebellar infarct without significant neurological deficits nor evidence of a cardioembolic cause. Catecholamine excess has been postulated to cause myocardial stunning in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and some cases of cerebral ischaemia. In this case, the concurrent occurrence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and stroke without an identifiable source suggests that there may be a possible unifying pathogenetic mechanism.