A case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation

The patient was a 73-year-old female who developed chest pain and dyspnea 16 days after her husband passed away. ST segment elevation was detected on V(2-5) by electrocardiography and emergency coronary arteriography was done for suspected acute myocardial infarction. No coronary arterial stenosis was present and ventricular septal perforation and takotsubo cardiomyopathy were diagnosed by left ventriculography. The perforation was closed and the patient was discharged 23 days after surgery. This patient had a very rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which was complicated by ventricular septal perforation and was saved by surgical treatment. (Circ J 2008; 72: 1540 - 1543).