From Hyperglycemia to Broken Heart Syndrome: A Case of Diabetic Ketoacidosis-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 7; p. e64907
• Main Authors: Escaño, Lorena, Desai, Prarthana, Chaudhry, Samir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 19-07-2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Abdomen; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular disease; Case reports; Catecholamines; Clinical medicine; Compliance; Coronary vessels; Diabetes; Diabetic ketoacidosis; Ejection fraction; Electrolytes; Emergency medical care; Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism; Glucose; Heart; Hyperglycemia; Insulin; Internal Medicine; Intubation; Laboratories; Metabolism; Pain; Pathogenesis; Patients; Vein & artery diseases; takotsubo cardiomyopathy (tcm); diabetes mellitus; broken heart syndrome; diabetic keto acidosis; stress-induced cardiomyopathy
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64907

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the hyperglycemic emergencies seen in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. One of the potential cardiovascular complications of this hyperglycemic crisis, not that well documented in the literature, is takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome". It is a reversible condition where the heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened and stunned, which is mostly known to develop in patients who have suffered a stressful life event or are undergoing an acute illness. We present an interesting case of a 45-year-old female with a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus who presented with significant hyperglycemia and laboratory results concerning DKA. The patient was also complaining of new-onset chest pain on arrival. Further workup revealed elevated troponin, severely reduced ejection fraction, and echocardiographic findings concerning TCM.  The coexistence of DKA and TCM is rare but clinically significant. This case emphasizes the value of clinical vigilance in patients with this hyperglycemic crisis and encourages us to always consider stress-induced cardiomyopathy as a potential complication. Further research is needed to better elucidate the exact mechanisms linking DKA and stress-induced cardiomyopathy. This will help improve outcomes and prevent recurrence in this vulnerable patient population.