Acute Pericarditis in the Recovery Phase of Transient Left Ventricular Apical Ballooning Syndrome (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy)

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman was admitted because of persistent chest pain and ST-elevation in the precordial and inferior leads on electrocardiogram. Emergent coronary angiography demonstrated that there was no obstruction, and left ventriculography showed apical akinesis and basal hyperkinesis. She was diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Chest pain subsided within the day of admission followed by T-wave inversion on electrocardiogram. Nevertheless, chest pain and ST-elevation reappeared late on the third hospital day, accompanied by fever and small amounts of pericardial and pleural effusions. Under the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, the inflammation lessoned. This is the first report of acute pericarditis in the recovery phase of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.