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©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Jun 26, 2012; 4(6): 214-217
Published online Jun 26, 2012. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v4.i6.214
Published online Jun 26, 2012. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v4.i6.214
Ventricular fibrillation as primary presentation of takotsubo cardiomyopathy after complicated cesarean delivery
Miriam Bortnik, Monica Verdoia, Alon Schaffer, Eraldo Occhetta, Paolo Marino, Cardiology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
Author contributions: All authors cooperated in clinical management of the patient and in writing the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Miriam Bortnik, Cardiology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy. miriam.bortnik@libero.it
Telephone: +39-321-3733294 Fax: +39-321-3733407
Received: October 28, 2011
Revised: June 7, 2012
Accepted: June 14, 2012
Published online: June 26, 2012
Revised: June 7, 2012
Accepted: June 14, 2012
Published online: June 26, 2012
Abstract
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically affects post-menopausal women under severe psychological or physical stress; it also has been reported to develop after medical procedures or surgery. We herein report the rare case of a 30-year-old woman who presented with an episode of ventricular fibrillation after a very complicated cesarean delivery and was successfully resuscitated. Subsequent electrocardiography and echocardiography showed a typical Takotsubo pattern. Within 3 wk, left ventricular systolic function returned to normal.
Keywords: Anesthesia, Ventricular fibrillation, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Cardiac arrest, Cesarean delivery, Oxytocin