Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-345352/v1

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Case report

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-345352/v1

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Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “apical ballooning syndrome”, is generally precipitated by endogenous or exogenous stress, and eating disorders have a variety of physical complications.

Case presentation

We present a case involving a 37-year-old Japanese female with eating disorders. She was admitted because of emaciation with shortness of breath and tiredness, and her weight was 30.0 kg (BMI 10.5 kg/m²) at this admission. On the afternoon of the first hospital day, a simple measurement caused hypoglycemia of 20 mg/dL, and she lost consciousness. On the night of the second hospital day, electrocardiogram showed negative T waves in II, III, aVf, and V1-6. Ultrasound echo showed hypokinesia at the apex of the heart and hypercontraction at the base of the heart. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 20%. Rest and oxygen administration gradually improved her cardiac function; the left ventricular ejection fraction also improved to 50% based on echocardiography. Finally, her weight increased by 43kg (BMI 15.2 kg/m²) with psychiatric treatment, and she was discharged.

Conclusions

The present case shows the clinical features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by a hypoglycemic event in addition to underlying anorexia nervosa.

Psychiatry

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

hypoglycemia

anorexia nervosa

eating disorders

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “apical ballooning syndrome”, is a cardiac disease characterized by transient left ventricular apical wall motion abnormality without epicardial coronary artery disease.¹ This cardiomyopathy is generally precipitated by endogenous or exogenous stress, and eating disorders have a variety of physical complications. We report a case of suspected Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after hypoglycemia accompanied by anorexia nervosa.

We present a case involving a 37-year-old Japanese female with eating disorders. Eighteen years earlier, she described episodes of binging and purging and weight loss (42 kg, BMI 16.4) with amenorrhea. She was diagnosed with eating disorders, and she was admitted to the Department of Psychiatry 5 times because of abnormal weight loss. She was then admitted because of emaciation with shortness of breath and tiredness, and her weight was 30.0 kg (BMI 10.5 kg/m²) at this 6th admission. Laboratory tests at admission revealed the following: aspartate aminotransferase 1731 IU/L; alanine transaminase 1210 IU/L; gamma-glutamyltransferase 277 U/L; creatinine 0.43 mg/dL; urea nitrogen 29 mg/dL; phosphorus 3.1 mEq/L; sodium 137 mEq/L; potassium 4.5 mEq/L; chlorine 99 mEq/L; white blood cell count 2800/µL; red bold cell count 40.7*109/µL; hemoglobin 14.1 g/dL; platelets 9.3*104 / µL; and troponin I (sensitive assay) 0.006 ng/mL. Her ECG showed a heart rate of 57/min, P-R interval of 0.247 sec, and corrected QT interval of 0.464 sec. On the afternoon of the first hospital day, a simple measurement caused hypoglycemia of 20 mg/dL, and she lost consciousness. This loss of consciousness was improved by administration of 50% glucose solution, and the 50% glucose solution was coinjected into the maintenance infusion. On the night of the second hospital day, the electrocardiogram monitor revealed tachycardia, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed. Sinus rhythm was observed, but negative T waves were observed in II, III, aVf, and V1-6 (Figure 1). Ultrasound echo showed hypokinesia at the apex of the heart and hypercontraction at the base of the heart, suggesting Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 20%. Refeeding syndrome also appeared and became hypophosphatemia, and we provided phosphorus. Rest and oxygen administration gradually improved her cardiac function; the left ventricular ejection fraction also improved to 50% based on echocardiography. Her amount of food intake gradually increased, and we provided psychotherapy. On the 12th day, treatment for eating disorders was continued, as her general condition was improving. Finally, her weight increased by 43kg (BMI 15.2 kg/m²) with psychiatric treatment, and she was discharged.

The present case shows the clinical features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by a hypoglycemic event in addition to underlying anorexia nervosa. There have been a few case reports of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and eating disorders.^2-11 In particular, reports of only 5 cases have suggested a relationship between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and hypoglycemia in addition to eating disorders.^3-5,9,10 The average age and range were 29.2 years and 16 and 49 years, and 4 of 5 patients were female. However, according to epidemiological studies, approximately 90% of Takotsubo syndrome patients are aged 50 years or more.¹²

This case meets Takotsubo cardiomyopathy diagnostic criteria I (Transient hypokinesis, akinesis, or dyskinesis of the left ventricular mid-segments with or without apical involvement; the regional wall motion abnormalities extend beyond a single epicardial vascular distribution; a stressful trigger is often, but not always present) and III (New electrocardiographic abnormalities (either ST-segment elevation and/or T-wave inversion) or modest elevation in cardiac troponin) but not criteria II (Absence of obstructive coronary disease or angiographic evidence of acute plaque rupture) and IV (Absence of: Pheochromocytoma and Myocarditis).¹³ Coronary angiography did not rule out a significant lesion, and biopsy did not rule out myocarditis. Therefore, the diagnosis was suspected Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which was not definitive. Nevertheless, we believe that this case was Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by stress due to hypoglycemia.

Although it is difficult to predict Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in advance, frequent measurement of blood glucose levels is necessary to prevent extreme hypoglycemia. Additionally, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy commonly occurs in postmenopausal females.¹² One of the risk factors is the decrease in estrogen associated with menopause. In fact, the current patient had irregular menstruation since high school due to anorexia nervosa, and her blood estrogen level was lower (11.8 ng/ml) than that of women of the same age.

Authors’ contributions

KK, CH and AW were involved in the management of the patient. This case report was written by NYF. TI and KS revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

Not applicable.

Availability of data and materials

The data used for this case report is available from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

There was no need for approve for the publication of this case report in Ethics committee in Dokkyo Medical University Hospital.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent has been obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. This edit was made to conform to the format of the journal guidelines.

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You are reading this latest preprint version

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa

Status:

Version 1

Abstract

Figures

Background

Case Presentation

Discussion And Conclusions

Declarations

Authors’ contributions

Funding

Availability of data and materials

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Consent for publication

Competing interests

References

Status:

Version 1