Medical Oddities: A broken heart courtesy of the flu

A little heartbreak, a dash of matcha, strange dreams, and one very hairy experiment are on the docket this week.

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A 67-year-old woman developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy 2 weeks after testing positive for influenza A.
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Despite ECG changes, elevated troponin I, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%, catheterization showed nonobstructive coronary artery disease.
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Left ventriculography showed severe apical hypokinesis with hyperdynamic basal segments, characteristic of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
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She initially received aspirin, clopidogrel, and intravenous heparin, then was discharged on a statin and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with prompt cardiology follow-up.
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Potential Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complications include heart failure, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, and thrombosis.

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