Asthmatic attack complicated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy after frequent inhalation of inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists

A 63-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of an exacerbation of asthma. His symptoms deteriorated even after increasing the dose of inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists (ICS/LABA). He had no chest pain and an electrocardiogram revealed ST elevation. A coronary angiogram revealed a reduced left ventricular function with an apical ballooning pattern without coronary stenosis. He was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Catecholamine elevation due to acute asthma and an overdose of ICS/LABA may be triggers of this disease. We should remember that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a complication of asthma and that catecholamine plays an important role in its onset, although it is essential for asthma treatment.