Cardiogenic shock due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with thyroid crisis: a case report

BACKGROUND: The development of cardiogenic shock due to the coexistence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and thyroid crisis in patients has been scarcely reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old female presented with chest pain, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting for 8 h. She was initially considered to have acute myocardial infarction due to elevated cardiac markers and abnormal electrocardiogram changes. Immediately after the coronary angiography revealed a normal coronary artery, the patient developed refractory cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography demonstrated a typical apical ballooning type of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 32%. A combination of norepinephrine and dopamine and an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was used to support haemodynamic stability but failed to improve the patient’s condition. Immediately after the laboratory tests revealed previously unknown hyperthyroidism on the second hospital day, a rapid atrial fibrillation (AF) suddenly occurred. Nifekalant successfully restored sinus rhythm in a short time. The patient persistently complained of chest tightness, palpitations, and sweating for the first 4 days until levosimendan and antithyroid crisis treatment were used. DISCUSSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and thyroid crisis can co-occur and present as cardiogenic shock. In the presence of severe cardiac dysfunction and untreated hyperthyroidism, nifekalant is an ideal option for the new onset of AF. The combination of heart failure treatment and antithyroid crisis drugs can effectively restore cardiac function and is associated with good clinical outcomes.