International journal of legal medicine
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Case Reports
Assault-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with persisting anterograde amnesia and myopathy.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, electrocardiographic changes, and minimal release of myocardial enzymes that mimic acute myocardial infarction in patients without coronary artery disease. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is frequently triggered by emotional or physical stress and occurs primarily in post-menopausal women. The pathomechanism of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is, so far, unknown. ⋯ Follow-up after 8 weeks showed a regression of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities; the amnesia for the assault, however, remained unchanged. This case shows that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be triggered by emotional stress induced during an assault. Assault-induced stress may not only induce Takotsubo cardiomyopathy but also amnesia for some of the events that occurred during the act.