Tag Archives: coronary angiogram

Introduction Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterised by a transient left ventricular dysfunction, which is classically accompanied by left ventricular apical ballooning and akinesis.1,2 The condition predominantly affects post-menopausal women and involves a neuro-cardiac action often triggered by an emotional or physical stressor.2 While the pathophysiology is not completely understood, postulated mechanisms include catecholamine excess,3 and microvascular dysfunction.4 Case A previously well 71-year-old woman was admitted to hospital via ambulance with sudden-onset angina radiating to the left shoulder and jaw, along with dyspnoea.

Pathogenesis With the advent of the iodinated contrast study came the complication of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), an increasingly recognised and discussed iatrogenic disease process seen with coronary angiography. As we become more invasive in our cardiac investigations, and coronary interventions become more widespread, coronary angiography is offered to more and more patients. Therefore, a better understanding of the treatment modalities aimed at minimising the risk of CIN has never been more important. Figure 1. Aetiology of contrast-induced nephropathy CIN is a direct hyper-acute tubular insult on the filtering mechanisms of the k