Calming the Adrenergic Storm: Mechanical Support Devices as a Life-Saving Stormbreaker in Iatrogenic Takotsubo Syndrome

Takotsubo Syndrome is a cardiomyopathy characterized by transient ventricular dysfunction caused by excessive sympathetic discharge, which may potentially lead to a fatal outcome. This case report presents the successful management of a 41-year-old female patient with iatrogenic Takotsubo Syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock. The condition was triggered by the inadvertent administration of norepinephrine, which occurred due to a medication error where it was mistaken for amiodarone because of look-alike / sound-alike packaging and name similarity. The management strategy focused on using mechanical support devices rather than agents that perpetuate the adrenergic discharge triggering the pathophysiology.

Keywords: Acute heart failure, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation-flutter, cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathy, catheter ablation, ECMO, takotsubo syndrome