Transient Reverse Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Following a Spider Bite in Greece: A Case Report

Black widow spider is endemic in the Mediterranean area and although envenomations are rare, may occasionally lead to death. We present a case of a 64-year-old female developing a rare variant of takotsubo, stress-induced, cardiomyopathy after a spider bite. This resulted in acute heart failure within 24 hours of the bite. With medical treatment and supportive care, the patient's clinical condition improved. Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy was diagnosed by echocardiography, which was transient. Clinical and echocardiographic findings have been completely resolved on follow-up 46 days later. Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy has not been yet described following a spider bite. Doctors in the emergency department of endemic countries should be familiar with this potential complication.