Electrolyte Disorders as Triggers for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman presented with cognitive impairment, confusion and slowed speech, muscle cramps and peripheral paraesthesia preceded by vomiting. Blood tests revealed severe hypokalaemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcaemia. Following a diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy based on ultrasonography, the patient was treated with electrolyte supplementation and recovered within 48h. When heart failure is suspected, electrolyte abnormalities should be carefully ruled out as they can affect cardiac function.

Keywords

• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
• hypomagnesemia
• hypocalcaemia
• heart failure