Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and giant r wave syndrome mimicking acute myocardial infarction: A case report

SHARK FIN ECG PATTERN IN A PATIENT WITH TAKOTSUBO SYNDROME - CASE STUDY AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Shark fin or triangular QRS-ST-T waveform ECG pattern, also known as lambda-wave ST elevation or giant R wave syndrome, is a particular ECG presentation where QRS complex, ST-segment and T-wave are fused in a unique complex. Originally described in some patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the acute phase, it has been found to be associated with a high risk of ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock as well as with a high in-hospital mortality. However, shark fin ECG pattern has also been reported in patients with non-acute coronary syndrome related ST-elevation (NASTEP), including stress-induced takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Fourteen such cases (all females) have been reported so far. The authors present a case of a 56-year-old male with shark fin ECG pattern associated with TTS triggered by burn injuries of head, back, upper, lower limbs and the respiratory tract. Due to respiratory insufficiency and heart failure with hemodynamic compromise, he required mechanical ventilation and catecholamines use. Echocardiography showed apical and midventricular akinesia with left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain reduced to 30% and -6.8%, respectively and a high segmental post-systolic index. Shark fin pattern maintained within 2 days, then ST-T evolution was observed. Echocardiographic improvement followed by almost normalization were seen after 6 and 9 days, respectively. No cardiac arrhythmias were recorded as in most of the described cases with shark fin ECG and TTS.

Clinical characteristics of takotsubo syndrome: a series of cases

INTRODUCTION

takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a recently recognized entity that resembles an acute coronary syndrome. Its epidemiology has been studied in various populations around the world. The most frequent trigger is an emotional stressful event.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics of a series of cases with TTS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out. The variables of age, gender, clinical characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, triggering factors, biomarkers, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and angiographic findings in the clinical records of a group of cases of patients with TTS were evaluated.

RESULTS

19 cases of TTS were included. There were 16 women and 3 men, the average age was 62 ± 14 years; the main cardiovascular risk factor was sedentary lifestyle in 13 cases. The emotional trigger was present in most cases. The most frequent symptom was chest pain, eight cases presented data of shoCKP and heart failure. The most common variant by echocardiography was apical ballooning in 79%, as well as by ventriculography. The most common complication was cardiogenic shoCKP.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical characteristics of our population are like those previously described in the literature. TTS is a transient and reversible cardiomyopathy with a good prognosis.