Reappearance of the left ventricular pressure gradient in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

An 84-year-old woman diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was referred to our hospital due to chest pain associated with an increased level of troponin T. Following the administration of cibenzoline, the left ventricular outflow pressure gradient (LVPG) completely disappeared. Left ventricular pressure pullback tracing subsequently demonstrated the "reappearance" of the LVPG. Left ventriculography showed apical ballooning with excessive contractions at the base of heart, and we therefore made a diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with HOCM. Hypercontractions of the base of the heart associated with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be responsible for the "reappearance" of LVPG in this case.