Multiple sclerosis broke my heart.

Androdias, Géraldine; Bernard, Emilien; Biotti, Damien; Collongues, Nicolas; Durand-Dubief, Françoise; Pique, Julie; Sanchez, Ingrid; Delmas, Clément et al. · Ann Neurol · 2017

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

We report 5 cases of acute heart failure (AHF) related to multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. AHF was inaugural in 3 patients, always preceded or accompanied by signs of brainstem dysfunction; it was severe, requiring intensive care management. Echocardiography showed left ventricular hypokinesis. No other cause of AHF has been found. All patients showed a new medullary lesion on brain magnetic resonance imaging. All had rapid and complete recovery of ventricular function after intravenous corticosteroids. We concluded that the cases represent a takotsubo phenomenon. Physicians should be aware of rare cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in MS relapses. Ann Neurol 2017;81:754-758.

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