Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following resection of a fourth ventricle tumour.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder associated with catecholamine discharge in response to episodes of stress. We present the case of a 39-year-old patient with no other significant medical history who suffered acute ECG changes, left ventricular dysfunction with regional wall motion abnormalities and raised cardiac enzymes following a period of severe and sustained hypertension and tachycardia associated with resection of tumour from the floor of the fourth ventricle. We believe this to be only the second case of a takotsubo cardiomyopathy related to intracranial surgery. It demonstrates the need for consideration, recognition and diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy following periods of severe peri-operative stress.