It’s a Trap! Clinical Similarities and Subtle ECG Differences between Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Myocardial Infarction

We describe a 65-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and smoking who presented with an acute episode of chest pain precipitated by severe emotional stress. Her initial electrocardiogram done in the emergency room showed non-specific T wave changes in the lateral leads and her cardiac troponin levels were mildly elevated. Because of her clinical presentation, she was admitted with a presumptive diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and managed with antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Coronary angiogram did not reveal coronary artery disease and left ventriculography showed findings consistent with apical ballooning syndrome or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Subsequent electrocardiograms displayed dramatic changes including T wave inversions, QT interval prolongation and U waves. The patient remained asymptomatic and recovered uneventfully. Three weeks post-discharge, an echocardiogram documented resolved left ventricular dysfunction. We describe the clinical features and highlight the electrocardiographic findings that may help differentiate takotsubo cardiomyopathy from myocardial infarction.