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CASE REPORT
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in myasthaenia gravis crisis confirmed by cardiac MRI
  1. I B Harries1,
  2. H Levoir1,
  3. C Bucciarelli-Ducci2,
  4. S Ramcharitar1
  1. 1Wiltshire Cardiac Centre, Swindon, UK
  2. 2Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr S Ramcharitar, steve.ramcharitar{at}gmail.com

Summary

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.

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