Can a pneumothorax break your heart?

  • Stylianos Mavridis Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
  • Hans-Georg Gnauk Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
  • Silvio Horn Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
  • Peter Adeberg Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
  • Martina Schumacher Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
  • Roland H. Wagner Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13181/mji.v24i1.1179
Keywords: apical ballooning, spontaneous pneumothorax, tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, thoracoscopic, tube thoracostomy
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Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning is a condition characterized by transitory left ventricular dysfunction, affecting commonly postmenopausal females after foregoing acute emotional or physical stress. We report a case of a 63 year old female presenting with severe dyspnea and right-sided secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, initially treated with tube thoracostomy. Despite the fact that pneumothorax resolved, shortness of breath persisted and due to ST-segment elevation and increased Troponin I levels, she was admitted to cardiac catheterization. A significant coronary stenosis was ruled out and the diagnosis of a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was established. Electrocardiographic findings were normalized within three days and attributable to prolonged air leakage. A thoracoscopic apex resection followed by a partial parietal pleurectomy was performed. Although Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare syndrome, it should always be considered as a potential cardiac complication of a pneumothorax.

Author Biography

Roland H. Wagner, Department Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Potsdam

Roland H Wagner MD, PhD

Head of Department

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Published
2015-03-23
How to Cite
1.
Mavridis S, Gnauk H-G, Horn S, Adeberg P, Schumacher M, Wagner RH. Can a pneumothorax break your heart?. Med J Indones [Internet]. 2015Mar.23 [cited 2024Apr.20];24(1):55-8. Available from: http://mji.ui.ac.id/journal/index.php/mji/article/view/1179
Issue
Vol. 24 No. 1 (2015): March
Section
Case Report/Series

Copyright (c) 2015 Stylianos Mavridis, Hans-Georg Gnauk, Silvio Horn, Peter Adeberg, Martina Schumacher, Roland H. Wagner

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