A PET/CT-follow-up imaging study to differentiate takotsubo cardiomyopathy from acute myocardial infarction

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014 Jan;30(1):207-9. doi: 10.1007/s10554-013-0311-x. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is still an under-recognized disease and little data exists on the coexistence of TTC and obstructive coronary artery disease. Our patient case of an 80-year-old female lady highlights the impact of a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) follow-up imaging study to delineate this unique entity from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, we show for the first time that coronary flow reserve and myocardial blood flow is globally impaired in TTC and not only restricted to the non-contracting parts. This indicates a global microcirculatory impairment effect of the heart in the acute stage of TTC. Our case also demonstrates that a transient metabolic defect is also involved in this disease. Follow-up imaging by PET/CT in our patient case unmasked TTC and facilitated to exclude the differential diagnosis of ACS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Coronary Circulation
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microcirculation
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Myocardial Contraction
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / diagnosis*
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / diagnostic imaging
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / metabolism
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Ventricular Function, Left