The adrenergic and histaminergic systems have been reported to have analogous effects on the heart. A case of transient ventricular dysfunction with echocardiographic findings characteristic of stress-induced cardiomyopathy (also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy) in a patient who had an urticarial transfusion reaction is described. The effect of histamine on ventricular function and its interaction with the adrenergic system are discussed.
Keywords: Catecholamine; Histamine; Stress-induced cardiomyopathy; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Urticarial transfusion reaction.