Takotsubo syndrome following mitral valve surgery in a paediatric patient: a case report

Takotsubo syndrome can be a life-threatening condition, with a higher prevalence of acute complications in male patients. Reports of this syndrome after cardiac surgery have mostly involved the mitral valve, which could be explained by the abrupt change in ventricular loading conditions and increase in afterload. The immediate postoperative use of epinephrine and dobutamine has been identified as a risk factor for the development of Takotsubo syndrome. Despite initially considered a benign entity, Takotsubo syndrome can be a life-threatening condition, with a mortality risk similar to patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. Mitral valve surgery may serve as a trigger for Takotsubo syndrome and should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in patients presenting with postoperative cardiogenic shock.