Transient apical dyskinesia with a pacemaker: Electrocardiographic features

Abstract

Transient apical dyskinesia syndromes present features similar to acute coronary syndromes, but with normal coronary arteries and rapid complete resolution of wall motion alterations. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital because of typical chest pain at rest after her brother's death. She had had a pacemaker implanted in 2001. Troponin levels were elevated and apical hypokinesia was shown by ventriculography and echocardiography, with normal coronary arteries. Evolving ECG alterations were observed in spite of the continued pacing rhythm. All these alterations were fully resolved after discharge. This case shows that, even in the presence of a pacemaker, evolving ECG alterations can be observed in Takotsubo syndrome.

Keywords: Apical ballooning syndrome; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiograma; Miocardiopatia Takotsubo; Pacing; Síndrome de balonização apical com balão; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.