Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is characterized by acute but transient ventricular dysfunction without obstructive coronary artery disease, generally precipitated by emotional and physical triggers. We describe this syndrome in a 76-year-old woman who was admitted with thoracic pain secondary to TC as shown by echocardiographic assessment, with a concurrent diagnosis of giant ascending aortic aneurism. Surgical intervention was delayed to allow ventricular recovery and then to perform ascending aorta replacement. An individualized perioperative approach was applied to avoid a possible TC recurrence with an uneventful postoperative course.
Keywords: Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy; ascending aortic aneurysm; cardiac surgery.