Citation

Citro R, Patella MM, Bossone E, Maione A, Provenza G, Gregorio G. J. Cardiovasc. Med. (LWW) 2008; 9(5): 501-505.

Affiliation

UO UTIC-Cardiologia San Luca Hospital, Vallo della Lucania SA, Italy. rodolfo.citro@email.it

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.2459/JCM.0b013e3282f03aca

PMID

18404003

Abstract

We report a case of transient tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy characterized by an unusual trigger in a woman victim of near-drowning syndrome. After 24 h, electrocardiogram changes and a typical echocardiographic pattern of apical ballooning with a mild increase of serum troponin level induced the suspicion of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy despite the absence of chest pain. Left ventriculography confirmed the apical ballooning, and coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Electrocardiogram changes and apical contraction abnormalities were reversed within 1 month. In conclusion, we hypothesize that hypoxemia related to near-drowning syndrome could have induced transient myocardial dysfunction mediated by a sympathetic nerve activation.

Keywords: Drowning; Drowning Prevention; Water Safety

Language: en