Failing in reverse: a case report of reverse Takotsubo syndrome complicating peripartum

Pregnancy and the peripartum are states of stress for the cardiovascular system. These conditions can trigger different cardiomyopathies. Among these, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) has been increasingly recognized as a cause of transient left ventricular dysfunction associated with pregnancy.

We present the case of a 31-year-old multiparous woman with an unusual variant of TC after caesarean delivery.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy and TC are particularly interesting differential diagnoses for new systolic dysfunction in pregnancy. Some features, such as the time of presentation, regional or diffuse wall motion abnormalities, evolution, and biomarkers, can guide the clinician to the right diagnosis.