Some Heart Breaks Are Worse Than Others: A Rare Case of Mid-Ventricular Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Resulting in Cardiogenic Shock in the Context of MDMA Use.Ma’in Abumuhfouz1, Yazan Almohtasib1, Uttsav Sandesara 2, Rebecca Adler1, David Gonzalez 1, Taiyeb Khumri3, Mohammed Saghir 3.1: University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), Kansas City, Missouri, USA.2: Wake Forest University School of Medicine3: Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.Corresponding Author:Main AbumahfouzDepartment of Internal Medicine,University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), Kansas City, USA2411 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108E-mail: maenabumahfuth95@gmail.comPhone #: 816-305-8514Authors contributions:Ma’in Abumuhfouz, M.DWriting – original draftYazan Almohtasib, M.DConceptualized and designed the study.Uttsav Sandesara, M.DConceptualized and designed the study.Writing – review and editingRebecca Adler, D.ODavid Gonzalez, M.DWriting – review and editingTaiyeb Khumri, M.DMohammed Saghir, M.DProject administrationAbbreviations:TTC: Takotsubo cardiomyopathyMDMA: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamineGAD: Generalized Anxiety DisorderMDD: Major Depressive DisorderConflict of interest:No conflict of interest to report.Keywords:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Cardiogenic Shock, Cardiac MRI.Key clinical message:Mid-ventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can present with cardiogenic shock, especially following MDMA use. Early recognition, hemodynamic support, and advanced cardiac imaging are crucial for diagnosis and management. This case highlights the reversible nature of stress cardiomyopathy and the importance of considering recreational drug use in young patients with acute cardiac dysfunction.Introduction:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is characterized by transient regional systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, often mimicking acute coronary syndrome but without obstructive coronary artery disease. While the classic apical ballooning pattern is most frequently observed, mid-ventricular variants have been increasingly recognized and may be associated with more severe hemodynamic compromise, including cardiogenic shock. The pathophysiology of TTC is incompletely understood but is thought to involve catecholamine-mediated myocardial stunning, with both emotional and physical stressors serving as triggers [14].Sympathomimetic agents, including amphetamines and their derivatives such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ”ecstasy”), have been implicated in the development of TTC and other forms of acute cardiac injury [10-12]. MDMA exerts its cardiovascular toxicity through multiple mechanisms, including increased catecholamine release, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruption of cardiac gene expression and gap junction integrity [9][13]. Acute MDMA intoxication has been associated with arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and both acute and chronic cardiomyopathy, with case reports and experimental data supporting its potential to precipitate severe cardiac events even in young, otherwise healthy individuals [9-10].Although TTC is generally considered a reversible condition, the mid-ventricular variant, particularly when complicated by cardiogenic shock, poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The intersection of MDMA use and TTC is rare but clinically significant, underscoring the importance of recognizing this entity in patients presenting with acute heart failure or shock following sympathomimetic exposure [14].This case report describes a rare presentation of mid-ventricular TTC with cardiogenic shock in the context of recent MDMA use, highlighting the need for vigilance regarding the cardiovascular risks associated with recreational drug use and the expanding clinical spectrum of stress cardiomyopathy.Case History and Examination:A 29-year-old woman with a past medical history of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) presented to our care as a transfer from an outside hospital with cardiogenic shock following MDMA use. The patient arrived intubated, with an Impella CP device and pulmonary artery catheter in place, requiring vasopressor support with norepinephrine. Her partner reported progressive shortness of breath, chest pain, and altered mental status prior to admission at the referring facility with frequent use of MDMA. On arrival at the outside hospital, the patient was hypothermic, tachycardic (130–140 bpm), and hypoxic, requiring high-flow nasal cannula oxygen.Differential diagnosis, investigations, and treatment:Laboratory results revealed markedly elevated troponin levels (>17,000 ng/L). Echocardiography demonstrated severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 20%, and cardiac catheterization showed normal coronary arteries but hemodynamics consistent with cardiogenic shock. Post-catheterization, the patient experienced cardiac arrest, reportedly requiring multiple rounds of CPR. An Impella CP device and norepinephrine were initiated prior to transfer to our institution for advanced care.At our facility, the patient remained tachycardic with adequate mean arterial pressures (90–100 mmHg) on low-dose norepinephrine. She self-extubated early during her stay, transitioned to nasal cannula oxygen, and tolerated gradual weaning of vasopressor support. Echocardiography demonstrated an improvement in ejection fraction to 45%. Cardiac MRI findings were consistent with mid-ventricular variant stress cardiomyopathy [Figure 1-A].Neurology evaluation identified an acute infarction in the right parietal lobe and a subacute infarction in the left cerebellum, likely embolic in etiology due to severe cardiomyopathy. Despite mild orthostatic hypotension, the patient was hemodynamically stable after initiation of midodrine. PT/OT assessments deemed the patient safe for discharge.Conclusion and Results:The patient condition had improved significantly with gradual return to her baseline, and she expressed eagerness to return home. She was discharged home with family support and instructions for outpatient follow-up. At discharge, she reported complete resolution of symptoms.The patient was followed up 6 months after discharge and was completely asymptomatic at that time. A repeat cardiac MRI demonstrated normalization of left ventricular ejection fraction (45% → 71%), resolution of mid-ventricular wall motion abnormalities, normalization of T1 and T2 mapping relaxation times, and resolution of patchy late gadolinium enhancement, except for a small subendocardial area likely representing residual fibrosis [Figure 1-B].Discussion:The presented case highlights a rare instance of mid-ventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) associated with MDMA use, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness of this condition’s unique pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management challenges.Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, commonly referred to as stress cardiomyopathy, typically involves transient left ventricular dysfunction precipitated by acute emotional or physical stress. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying TTC remain complex, with catecholamine excess playing a pivotal role in inducing myocardial stunning [3]. Elevated levels of catecholamines, as in this case, can cause direct myocardial toxicity, vascular dysfunction, and microvascular spasm, all of which contribute to the development of the condition [2]. The mid-ventricular variant, although less common than the apical type, is associated with distinct features and often a more severe clinical course [4].The use of MDMA has been implicated in drug-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, likely due to its potent sympathomimetic effects, which exacerbate catecholaminergic surges [5]. In this patient, the development of cardiogenic shock underscores the potential severity of the mid-ventricular variant, which has been reported to occur in up to 10% of TTC cases [6].Advanced imaging modalities, such as cardiac MRI, proved invaluable in this case for confirming the diagnosis and identifying the pattern of myocardial involvement, including the global hypokinesis of mid-ventricular segments with sparing of the apical and basal regions. This imaging pattern is a hallmark of the mid-ventricular variant and serves as a key diagnostic clue [4]. Structural analyses have demonstrated that TTC involves transient myocardial edema and inflammation during the acute phase, which resolves with recovery, further supporting the reversibility of this condition [7].The patient’s remarkable recovery, marked by improved hemodynamics and left ventricular function, aligns with prior studies indicating a favorable prognosis for most TTC cases, provided that complications such as cardiogenic shock are promptly managed [8]. Temporary mechanical circulatory support, as used here, can be lifesaving in severe cases of shock [6]. Nevertheless, the association between the mid-ventricular variant and adverse outcomes warrants further research to refine management strategies and improve long-term prognosis [1].In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of early recognition of TTC and its variants, particularly in patients with drug-induced triggers such as MDMA. Comprehensive understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms and the use of advanced imaging modalities are paramount in optimizing patient outcomes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the long-term implications of the mid-ventricular variant and refine treatment approaches for this complex syndrome.Ethics approval:Our institution does not require ethical approval for reporting individual cases or case series.Informed consent:Written informed consent was obtained from the patient(s) for their anonymized information to be published in this article.References:Pelliccia F, Greco C, Vitale C, Rosano G, Gaudio C, Kaski JC. 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