Relapsing Classical Takotsubo Syndrome in a Postmenopausal Woman Successfully Managed with Psychology Consultations

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute and often fully reversible heart failure condition. TTS was initially regarded as a benign syndrome, but it is known that TTS is associated with a mortality comparable to that of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Interestingly, 2/3 of TTS occurrences are triggered by emotional or physical stressors. Meanwhile, the pathophysiology behind TTS is poorly understood. As no randomized trials exist to define the optimal treatment, current guidelines are based on expert opinion and the management of TTS-patients is often supportive. We present the case of a postmenopausal woman with relapsing TTS from two different emotional stressors where the treatment was carried out in cooperation between psychiatric and cardiology specialists. This case bears significance as severe relapsing TTS was managed successfully in collaboration between cardiologists and psychiatrists.