Consequences of misdiagnosis and mismanagement of takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Abstract

We report a patient who presented with takotsubo cardiomyopathy but was misdiagnosed as an anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction (AWMI). We illustrate how misdiagnosis led to mismanagement by initiating intravenous inotropic agents that led to further hemodynamic compromise. Subsequent withdrawal of the inotropic agents and simultaneous administration of oral metoprolol therapy led to hemodynamic and clinical improvement re-affirming the diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. © 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.