Noninvasive diagnostic approach to a rare variant of takotsubo syndrome: from ESC guidelines to real world

Takotsubo syndrome is found in about 5%-6% of patients presenting with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography with left ventriculography is currently considered the modality of choice for the diagnosis. However, improvements of noninvasive diagnostic techniques have been allowing for definite assessment of ventricular function and anatomy. In this setting, the combined use of coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance may play a pivotal role for a complete noninvasive diagnosis and management of these patients. We present a case of a 52-year-old woman who presented to our department complaining chest pain and showing left ventricular systolic dysfunction, electrocardiography abnormalities, and mild elevation of cardiac-specific serum enzymes.