Incidental cerebral aneurysm after takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A case report

Abstract

Abstract Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute heart disease that mimics the typical features of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). TS is generally reported after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a ruptured aneurysm, and has an incidence rate of 0.8 (17%). Here, we report a rare case of TS with unruptured intracranial aneurism. A 54‐year‐old woman had a history of systemic arterial hypertension and migraine. She went to a secondary hospital 2 h after sudden‐onset chest pain, which irradiated to the left upper limb and back. The initial electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal but showed a troponin curve, which led us to suspect acute non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction. Serial ECG showed dynamic changes in ST‐segment elevation in DIII, AvF, V5, and V6. Emergency cardiac catheterisation was performed and did not show any obstructive lesions. However, ventriculography revealed hypokinesia of the inferoapical wall. During hospitalization, the patient had a severe refractory headache. Computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography were performed, which identified “mirror” saccular aneurysms. A supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm was embolized with two stents. The patient's condition progressed satisfactorily. The association between takotsubo syndrome and aneurysmal SAH with some populations has already been reported. Due to this prior knowledge, and severe headache, it was necessary to perform screening for SAH and the discovery of an unruptured aneurysm in this case report. The present case report differs from most reported cases of takotsubo syndrome described in the literature because it presents unruptured mirror aneurysms, while most cases are diagnosed after intracranial hemorrhage.

Keywords

• brain aneurysm
• neurogenic stress
• stunned neurogenic myocardium
• takotsubo syndrome