Basal Takotsubo syndrome with transient severe mitral regurgitation caused by drug use: a case report

Background Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a reversible cardiomyopathy. Little is known regarding its basal form and possible complications. Case summary A 31-year-old woman with no medical history was hospitalized for attempted suicide by ingestion of cocaine, benzodiazepine, and methadone. Initially, the patient received intensive care for coma and bradypnoea. After naloxone administration, the neurological situation improved, but the patient developed acute pulmonary oedema. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed left ventricular systolic dysfunction with the basal wall's akinesia associated with moderate to severe restrictive mitral regurgitation. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was impaired mainly in the basal segments. A coronary computed tomography ruled out coronary artery disease. Symptoms improved quickly under diuretic treatment. Transthoracic echocardiography at Day 6 showed improved basal wall contraction, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% and moderate mitral regurgitation. TTE at Day 30 confirmed the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries related to a basal TTS after complete recovery of the LVEF, normalization of the wall motion and GLS, and the absence of residual mitral regurgitation. Discussion We report a case of acute pulmonary oedema due to basal TTS complicated by severe transient mitral regurgitation associated with moderate left ventricular dysfunction. Measuring strain by speckle-tracking can be useful to diagnose and monitor this entity. The use of coronary computed tomography is informative in young patients to rule-out coronary artery disease.