Takotsubo syndrome and brachydactyly: a new heart-hand syndrome?

The Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient myocardic hypo-adyskinesis so called for its typically aspect like the cages used by Japanese fisherman to trap octopus. Presently, several etiologies were considered for the development of ITS, the most accredited ones suggest that stress, adrenoreceptor hyperactivity and estrogens are the most important causes of transient morphofunctional alterations of left ventricle. We describe the case of 60 year-old woman with a chest pain occurred after a quarrel. Because of this, she went to the Emergency Department (ED) where T wave flat in lead D-I, increase of CK-MB mass and Troponin 1 were found. Subsequently, a coronary-ventriculography was performed and a diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome was made. Also a bilateral IV toe brachydactyly was noted. In medical literature, there are many syndromes described about the association between skeletal alteration of the hands and heart abnormalities (heart-hand syndrome). The Authors wonder if this case can belong to this kind of complex malformations as well as if a molecular-genetic trait can link the two clinical aspects. Clin Ter 2011; 162(1):41-44