Serial evaluation of left ventricular contraction and relaxation in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography.

A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of general fatigue. The electrocardiogram showed ST elevation in the I, II, aVL, and V2-V6 leads. Echocardiography showed left ventricular apical akinesis. On emergent cardiac catheterization, left ventricular basal hyperkinesis and apical akinesis without coronary artery stenosis were found. The patient was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Two-dimensional myocardial speckle tracking echocardiography was performed on admission, the 8th hospital day, and the 15th hospital day. Gradual improvement in wall motion abnormality and longitudinal peak systolic strain, peak systolic strain rate, and early diastolic strain rate from the basal to apical region of the left ventricle were observed objectively, and she achieved remission. We herein report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in which objective improvement in left ventricular contraction and relaxation was observed by 2D speckle tracking imaging and bull's eye mapping.