Transient stress-induced cardiomyopathy with an "inverted Takotsubo" contractile pattern

We describe a patient who had transient cardiomyopathy with alkinesia of the basal portions of the left ventricle and hyperkinesia of the apex triggered by alcoholic pancreatitis. This case seems to confirm recent publications suggesting a new or variant clinical entity with a clinical presentation similar to that of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy but with an inverse left ventricular contractile pattern ("Inverted Takotsubo"). This entity could provide clues to the underlying pathophysiology of these syndromes of acute heart injury.