Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
M, A., R, A., D, G.S., S, S., & K, L. (2026). Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2025.2605609
M A, R A, D GS, S S, K L. Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). 2026; doi: 10.1080/08998280.2025.2605609
M A, R A, D GS, et al. Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.[J]. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). 2026. DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2025.2605609.
@article{m2026,
author = {Abumuhfouz M and Adler R and Gonzalez Sanchez D and Suleiman S and Lehenbauer K},
title = {Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy.},
journal = {Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1080/08998280.2025.2605609},
note = {PMID: 42269061},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Abumuhfouz M AU - Adler R AU - Gonzalez Sanchez D AU - Suleiman S AU - Lehenbauer K TI - Neurogenic shock to the heart: a rare case of meningitis-triggered reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy. T2 - Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center) PY - 2026 DO - 10.1080/08998280.2025.2605609 AN - PMID:42269061 ER -
Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a rare variant of stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is characterized by basal hypokinesis with apical sparing and can be associated with neurological insults. Prompt recognition is essential to avoid unnecessary invasive interventions and to guide appropriate supportive care. Here, we report a case of reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by bacterial meningitis in a patient with a history of stroke and seizure disorder who presented with altered mental status, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and evolving electrocardiographic changes. Acute bacterial meningitis can act as a precipitating neurological insult leading to reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy (rTTC), expanding the known spectrum of neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy.Recognition of the characteristic echocardiographic pattern, basal hypokinesis with apical sparing, is crucial to differentiate rTTC from acute coronary syndromes and avoid unnecessary invasive interventions.The proposed mechanism involves catecholamine-mediated myocardial stunning secondary to excessive sympathetic activation triggered by central nervous system inflammation.Prompt diagnosis and supportive management of both the neurological and cardiac components typically result in full recovery of ventricular function, as demonstrated in this case.