Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy during chest pain: An atypical presentation of takotsubo cardiomyopathy?

Although Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) knowledge is increasing, the exact pathophysiology remains unclear. TCM represents 1%-2% of all troponin positive acute coronary syndromes, affects predominantly postmenopausal women, and is commonly preceded by exposure to severe physical or emotional stress. Transient wall motion abnormalities mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction is expected as well as increase of troponin levels and echocardiography alterations. This case report is about a patient that as far as we know is the first case that shows the use of myocardial perfusion imaging in the acute phase of TCM. In general, the TCM Mayo Clinic diagnostic criteria have been very helpful in the clinical setting. In this specific case, however, the presence of reduced myocardial perfusion in the acute phase combined with increased troponin levels seemed to be in contradiction with the exclusion of obstructive coronary artery disease.