Ampulla (`Takotsubo') Cardiomyopathy of Both Ventricles: Evaluation of Microcirculation Disturbance Using 99mTc-Tetrofosmin Myocardial Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Doppler Guide Wire

An 84-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with chest pain at rest. An electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF and V2-6, and the 2-dimension echocardiogram showed apical ballooning akinesis and basal hyperkinesis of both ventricles. 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed severely reduced uptake in the apex. Coronary angiography did not show any organic stenosis, and epicardial coronary spasm was not provoked by the ergonovine loading test. Left ventriculography showed apical ballooning akinesis and basal hyperkinesis, which were also apparent on right ventriculography. The coronary flow velocity pattern showed rapid diastolic acceleration and deceleration times, and the coronary flow reserve measured with a Doppler guide wire was severely decreased. 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT showed improvement in the findings after 14 days, and the coronary flow velocity pattern and coronary flow reserve improved after 30 days. Left and right ventriculography both revealed mild improvement in the wall motion. These findings suggested that a microcirculation disturbance caused ampulla (`Takotsubo') cardiomyopathy. (Circ J 2004; 68: 1076 - 1080)