Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Induced by Dobutamine Infusion: A New Phenomenon or an Old Disease with a New Name

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy mimics acute myocardial infarction but is a separate clinical entity characterized by distinct wall motion abnormalities in the absence of obstructive coronary lesions. The prevalence of this condition is relatively uncommon yet has gained increasing recognition in recent years. It has rarely been associated with the use of dobutamine infusion during cardiac stress testing. We present in detail two cases of dobutamine-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from our case series, one from 2002 and the other from 2008. While both cases display the typical features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the former was initially diagnosed as dobutamine-induced vasospasm. These cases may provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of the condition and suggest that the increasing recognition of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy results from increasing familiarity of the condition. (Echocardiography 2010;27:E30-E33)