[Intravenous epinephrine for anaphylaxis: Kounis or takotsubo syndrome?]

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2018 Apr;19(4):242-245. doi: 10.1714/2898.29219.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The presence of an acute coronary syndrome in patients with anaphylaxis is a challenging diagnostic conundrum for the cardiologist. Both Kounis syndrome and takotsubo syndrome must be taken into account. We present here the case of a 46-year-old woman suffering from ventricular fibrillation after adrenaline infusion for an anaphylactic reaction. The case report shows the important role of a clear diagnostic work-up and the role of cardiac magnetic resonance in this clinical scenario to reach the final diagnosis of reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / drug therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Epinephrine / adverse effects*
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Italy
  • Kounis Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / diagnosis*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / chemically induced*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis

Substances

  • Epinephrine