Broken heart syndrome in myasthenia gravis

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Autoimmune Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review of Published Cases

Introduction

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) features transient left ventricular apical dysfunction or ballooning. The underlying mechanism remains elusive; however, evidence suggests the role of different physical and psychological stressors. We systematically reviewed patients presenting with TCM and autoimmunity to explore the link between the two conditions.

Methods

We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to report this review. Using keywords related to autoimmune/immune-mediated diseases and TCM, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and WOS in March 2022. The final results were added to a data extraction sheet. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 26.0.

Results

Our search yielded 121 studies, including 155 patients. Females were considerably predominant. Most patients had a history of autoimmune disease, and almost a third had a history of cardiovascular disease. Dyspnea and chest pain were the most common chief complaints. More than 70% of patients had experienced physical stress. Myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis were the most frequently reported autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

There were similarities in age and sex compared to classic TCM. TCM should be considered as a differential diagnosis for ACS, especially in patients with a positive background of autoimmunity. A precise reporting system is required for further studies.

A Case Report and 31-Case Study: Does Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Myasthenia Gravis Patients Have a High Mortality Rate?

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies are formed against post-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that lead to impeded muscle contraction and commonly affects the oculomotor muscles. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a dilated cardiomyopathy that can mimic a myocardial infarction and causes reversible systolic dysfunction. This is a case of a 66-year-old Caucasian male with a known history of ocular myasthenia gravis that presented to the emergency room with worsening dyspnea secondary to a myasthenic crisis. One day, following admission, his shortness of breath failed to improve and was found to meet the diagnostic criteria for takotsubo cardiomyopathy. A brief review of 31 previous cases summarizes the current case reports, patterns, and mortality associated with the myasthenic crisis associated with TTC.

A myasthenic crisis of broken hearts (reverse takotsubo): Case report and review of literature

Myasthenic crisis (MC) is rarely associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), but embolic complications of MC-associated reverse TTC are yet to be documented. We present a case of a 70-year-old Caucasian female with MC-associated reverse TTC, developing acute cerebral infarcts. Following aggressive treatment with immunoglobulins and anticholinergics, cardiac function normalised. TTC is an important differential diagnosis in acute deteriorations of cardiac function, particularly in intensive care, not only due to frequent use of inotropes and embolic complications but also because cardiac function is reversible with good medical care. Early specialist neurologist and cardiologist input should be sought in such cases.

An Unfortunate Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy During Plasmapheresis for Myasthenia Crisis

A literature review shows scarce reports of myasthenic crises (MC) complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). This patient cohort (0.11%) has higher all-cause mortality and prolonged in-hospital course. We present a rare case of a 72-year-old man who developed cardiogenic shock post-plasmapheresis for myasthenia crisis. He became hemodynamically unstable and developed acute respiratory failure requiring intubation 30 minutes after completion of plasma exchange. Serum troponin peaked at 3.19 ng/mL while an emergent 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) showed new-onset diffuse ST-segment elevation. Hypokinesis of the entire apex, anterior septum, mid-and apical inferior septum, and mid-and apical inferior wall consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was seen on bedside echocardiogram. The patient received a continuous infusion of norepinephrine and vasopressin. The hospital course was complicated by multiorgan failure and eventual demise. This case highlights MC and the potential of plasma exchange therapy to induce TC.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of a myasthenic crisis

BACKGROUND

Myasthenic crisis is characterized by severe weakness in bulbar and respiratory muscles leading to respiratory failure and can be a natural result of myasthenia gravis or precipitate due to infections, surgeries, and pregnancy. It has been shown that stressful emotional events can lead to stress, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of obstructive artery disease with hypo- or akinesis of the apex with hypercontractility of the base.

METHODS

Case report and review of literature.

RESULTS

We report a 77-year old man with myasthenia gravis that was admitted to the neurological intensive care unit due to a myasthenic crisis. During the course of his treatment with plasma exchange, he developed hypotension with a reduced cardiac ejection fraction found on transthoracic electrocardiography. Repeat echocardiography 2 and 8 days later showed a normal ejection fraction and resolved cardiac function.

CONCLUSION

While takotsubo cardiomyopathy rarely presents concurrently with a myasthenic crisis, its consideration is warranted in the face of cardiovascular decompensation. Given that several cardiac complications are known to be associated with myasthenic crisis, cardiac monitoring is advised. Nine reports describe takotsubo cardiomyopathy occurring concurrently with a myasthenic crisis; however, only one report demonstrates this association in the absence of concomitant comorbidities or significant emotional distress.

Takotsubo syndrome in patients with myasthenia gravis: a systematic review of previously reported cases

Background

Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome is a rare condition. This study aimed to explore its typical presentation, investigations and treatment through a systematic review of previously reported cases.

Methods

Databases and reference lists of the selected articles were searched for case reports on Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome. CARE guidelines were used for the quality assessment of the selected articles.

Results

Sixteen cases were selected out of 580 search results. Western Pacific, American and European regions contributed to 88% of the cases. Females were most affected (81%). Features of both myasthenia gravis and takotsubo syndrome were the common clinical presentations. All cases had a myasthenic crisis. Half of the cases had no prior diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Pyridostigmine and prednisolone were useful for myasthenia gravis while dobutamine was most commonly used for takotsubo syndrome. All cases survived except four (25%).

Conclusions

Myasthenia gravis associated takotsubo syndrome via a myasthenic crisis is rare but life-threatening. Therefore, predisposition due to emotional and physical triggers needs to be avoided for its prevention. The rare entity should be suspected even in patients without a prior diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Myocardial Infarction in a Man with Myasthenic Crisis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is a syndrome characterized by transient and reversible regional myocardial dysfunction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease classically resulting in ventricular apical ballooning. It has a strong female predominance with onset generally in seventh decade of life, with hypothesized pathophysiology related to excess of catecholaminergic stimulation, particularly during episodes of physical or emotional stress. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been previously reported during myasthenic crisis, the acute deterioration of myasthenia gravis typically involving respiratory failure that is also associated with physical or emotional stress. We present the case of an atypically young male patient with classical takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of myasthenic crisis after thymectomy initially concerning for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, and a review of the literature of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in myasthenic crisis.

Respiratory insufficiency from myasthenia gravis and polymyositis due to malignant thymoma triggering Takotsubo syndrome

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy with sudden but transient systolic dysfunction. TTS mimics myocardial infarction clinically, chemically, and electrocardiographically but echocardiography typically shows apical ballooning and coronary angiography is normal. TTS has not been reported in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) and polymyositis due to a malignant thymoma.

CASE REPORT

Two weeks prior to admission, a 76-year-old female developed dysarthria, chronic coughing and disabling myalgias of the entire musculature. Since there was hyper-CKemia and elevated troponin, myocardial infarction was suspected. During swallowing of the antithrombotic medication on admission, she experienced apnoea, requiring cardio-pulmonary resuscitation with intubation and mechanical ventilation. Further diagnostic work-up precluded coronary heart disease but revealed TTS. Upon neurologic work-up, MG and polymyositis were diagnosed but the response to cholinergic drugs and plasmapheresis was poor. TTS was attributed to stress and anxiety from MG-associated respiratory insufficiency. The further course was complicated by recurrent supraventricular bradyarrhythmias and respiratory insufficiency. Upon thoracic CT a thymoma was suspected. Two months after admission, the mediastinal tumour was resected and malignant thymoma WHO BII infiltrating the mediastinum (modified Masaoka-Koga II/2) was diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

This case shows that TTS may be triggered by stress from respiratory insufficiency during a myasthenic crisis, MG may be associated with polymyositis, cholinergic medication may trigger bradyarrhythmias, and cholinergic drugs and plasmapheresis may exhibit a poor effect if malignant thymoma and polymyositis are present.

A Case Report of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient during Myasthenia Crisis

Introduction

Patients with myasthenia crisis can develop Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (SC) due to emotional or physical stress and high level of circulating catecholamines. We report a patient who developed recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during myasthenia crisis. Coexisting autoimmune disorders known to precipitate stress cardiomyopathy like Grave's disease need to be evaluated.

Case Report

A 69-year-old female with seropositive myasthenia gravis (MG), Grave's disease, and coronary artery disease on monthly infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), prednisone, pyridostigmine, and methimazole presented with shortness of breath and chest pain. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST elevation in anterolateral leads with troponemia. Coronary angiogram was unremarkable for occlusive coronary disease with left ventriculogram showing reduced wall motion with apical and mid left ventricle (LV) hypokinesis suggestive of Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy. Her symptoms were attributed to MG crisis. Her symptoms, ECG, and echocardiographic findings resolved after five cycles of plasma exchange (PLEX). She had another similar episode one year later during myasthenia crisis with subsequent resolution in 10 days after PLEX.

Conclusion

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be one of the manifestations of myasthenia crisis with or without coexisting Grave's disease. These patients might benefit from meticulous fluid status and cardiac monitoring while administering rescue treatments like IVIG and PLEX.

An Overview of Cardiac Management in Neuromuscular Disease

Muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis are two neuromuscular disorders that can involve significant cardiovascular complications. The frequency and severity of cardiac pathology varies widely among the muscular dystrophies. In some, it is nearly inevitable and requires regular evaluation. In others, assessment of cardiac function can be more symptom-driven. On-ly a minority of myasthenic patients manifest disease-related cardiovascular complications; however, their presentation can be rapidly progressive and life-threatening..

Heart Disease in Disorders of Muscle, Neuromuscular Transmission, and the Nerves

Little is known regarding cardiac involvement (CI) by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The purpose of this review is to summarise and discuss the major findings concerning the types, frequency, and severity of cardiac disorders in NMDs as well as their diagnosis, treatment, and overall outcome. CI in NMDs is characterized by pathologic involvement of the myocardium or cardiac conduction system. Less commonly, additional critical anatomic structures, such as the valves, coronary arteries, endocardium, pericardium, and even the aortic root may be involved. Involvement of the myocardium manifests most frequently as hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy and less frequently as restrictive cardiomyopathy, non-compaction, arrhythmogenic right-ventricular dysplasia, or Takotsubo-syndrome. Cardiac conduction defects and supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias are common cardiac manifestations of NMDs. Arrhythmias may evolve into life-threatening ventricular tachycardias, asystole, or even sudden cardiac death. CI is common and carries great prognostic significance on the outcome of dystrophinopathies, laminopathies, desminopathies, nemaline myopathy, myotonias, metabolic myopathies, Danon disease, and Barth-syndrome. The diagnosis and treatment of CI in NMDs follows established guidelines for the management of cardiac disease, but cardiotoxic medications should be avoided. CI in NMDs is relatively common and requires complete work-up following the establishment of a neurological diagnosis. Appropriate cardiac treatment significantly improves the overall long-term outcome of NMDs.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in myasthaenia gravis crisis confirmed by cardiac MRI

Myasthaenia gravis crisis and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are rare conditions that can be precipitated by emotional or physical stress. Myasthaenia gravis has a variety of cardiac manifestations but Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, particularly in male patients, has rarely been reported. We describe a unique case of a 70-year-old man who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during his first presentation with a myasthaenia gravis crisis. He had not received plasmapharesis or immunoglobulin therapy. Striking ECG traces and cardiac MRI helped to confirm the diagnosis. Cardiac manifestations of myasthaenia gravis and myasthaenia gravis itself have overlapping symptoms; the importance of cardiac monitoring and clinical vigilance in such cases is discussed. The utility of cardiac MRI in assessing cardiac manifestations of myasthaenia gravis is also highlighted.

Broken heart syndrome during myasthenic crisis

OBJECTIVES

Myocardial pathology is rarely associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). We describe a case of newly diagnosed MG with decompensated heart failure [stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM)] that occurred during the crisis phase.

METHODS

Case report and review of literature.

RESULTS

A 42-year-old woman underwent chemotherapy followed by a transsternal resection of a malignant epithelioid thymoma invading the pericardium. A month after surgical resection, she developed progressive oropharyngeal symptoms with respiratory distress requiring tracheal intubation. Cardiac evaluation on the day of admission showed a normal ejection fraction, which rapidly decreased to 15% on the second hospital day and recovered to 45% after 1 week. Review of the literature revealed 4 myasthenic patients who developed SICM in the crisis phase; all improved with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

SICM may occur in MG crisis, especially in the presence of malignant thymoma. All previous cases including our patient had improved myocardial function and clinical outcomes.

Pulmonary edema in myasthenic crisis

We report a previously asymptomatic 50-year-old lady who came with myasthenic crisis as initial presentation of myasthenia gravis. She developed pulmonary edema following intravenous immunoglobulin administration and had ischemic changes in ECG and left ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography. She improved with diuretics, dobutamine, and fluid restriction alone. This is the first report in English-language medical literature describing the association between myasthenic crisis and likely takotsubo cardiomyopathy-related pulmonary edema following intravenous immunoglobulin administration.

Non-coronary myocardial infarction in myasthenia gravis: Case report and review of the literature

Cardiovascular adverse events in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are rare, but the early recognition of such events is crucial. We describe a case of a non-coronary myocardial infarction (MI) during the initial treatment period with pyridostigmine bromide in a female patient with MG. Clinicians should be cautious about the appearance of potential MI in patients with MG. A baseline electrocardiogram is advocated, when the early recognition of the MI clinical signs and the laboratory findings (myocardial markers) are vital to the immediate and appropriate management of this medical emergency, as well as to prevent future cardiovascular events. In this case report possible causes of myocardial adverse events in the context of MG, which may occur during the ongoing treatment and the clinical course of the disease, are discussed.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: definition and clinical profile

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an increasingly recognized, reversible cardiomyopathy with a clinical presentation that mimics an acute coronary syndrome but without evidence of obstructive coronary lesions. Typical presentation involves chest pain and/or dyspnea, transient ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram, and a modest increase in cardiac troponin. Cardiac imaging demonstrates wall-motion abnormalities that extend beyond the territory of a single epicardial coronary artery, and the absence of obstructive coronary lesions. Supportive treatment leads to spontaneous, rapid recovery of ventricular function, but about 10% of patients have recurrent events. This article reviews the defining features and clinical profile of TTC.