Reversible left ventricular dysfunction in suicidal hanging.

Acute and rapidly reversible left ventricular dysfunction may be triggered by various psychological and physical insults. This entity is now well known as stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubu cardiomyopathy. Suicidal hanging involves intense emotional outburst and the act of hanging is an extreme physical stress. We report a case of rapidly reversible left ventricular dysfunction following attempted suicide by hanging. Usually the outcome is favourable as in our case. The pathogenesis of left ventricular dysfunction in hanging is myocardial stunning due to catecholamine surge. Other mechanisms are also proposed.