Background: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is not fully understood. It is thought to occur in patients who have signs and symptoms consistent with acute myocardial infarction but display no obstructive coronary lesions during heart catheterization. Characteristics include transient left ventricular dysfunction, wall motion abnormalities on echocardiogram, new electrocardiographic ST-segment changes, and the occurrence of a precipitating stressor. Case Report: We present a patient who underwent Heller myotomy and suffered acute heart failure in the immediate postoperative period. Left heart catheterization revealed clean coronary arteries, and the patient fully recovered days later. While difficult to fully exclude drug-related causes, we believe this case to be consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: This unusual postoperative complication following uneventful laparoscopic surgery should be kept in mind when unsuspected cardiovascular compromise is seen in the early perioperative recovery period. In addition to the rare occurrence of acute coronary ischemia syndromes and possible perioperative pulmonary embolic events, cardiovascular decompensation related to acute stress syndromes or idiopathic pharmacologic responses must be considered. Even patients who seem most healthy can have complications that warrant immediate attention and treatment

Gomez, Daniel

Landreneau, Rodney J.

Menard, Grayson W.

Ural, Kelly G.

English

University of Queensland eSpace

Acute Idiopathic Heart Failure Following Laparoscopic
Myotomy for Achalasia of the Esophagus
Kelly G. Ural, MD,1 Rodney J. Landreneau, MD,2,3 Grayson W. Menard, MD,2 Daniel Gomez4
1Department of Anesthesiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA
2Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA
3The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA
4Universidad CES, Medell´ın, Colombia
ABSTRACT
Background: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as
takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is not fully understood. It is thought
to occur in patients who have signs and symptoms consistent
with acute myocardial infarction but display no obstructive
coronary lesions during heart catheterization. Characteristics
include transient left ventricular dysfunction, wall motion
abnormalities on echocardiogram, new electrocardiographic
ST-segment changes, and the occurrence of a precipitating
stressor.
Case Report: We present a patient who underwent Heller
myotomy and suffered acute heart failure in the immediate
postoperative period. Left heart catheterization revealed clean
coronary arteries, and the patient fully recovered days later.
While difficult to fully exclude drug-related causes, we believe
this case to be consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Conclusion: This unusual postoperative complication following
uneventful laparoscopic surgery should be kept in mind when
unsuspected cardiovascular compromise is seen in the early
perioperative recovery period. In addition to the rare occurrence
of acute coronary ischemia syndromes and possible periop-
erative pulmonary embolic events, cardiovascular decompen-
sation related to acute stress syndromes or idiopathic
pharmacologic responses must be considered. Even patients
who seem most healthy can have complications that warrant
immediate attention and treatment.
INTRODUCTION
Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCM), also
known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart
syndrome, is not fully understood. It is thought to
occur in patients who have signs and symptoms
consistent with acute myocardial infarction but display
no obstructive coronary lesions during heart cathe-
terization. Characteristics include transient left ven-
tricular dysfunction, wall motion abnormalities on
echocardiogram, new electrocardiographic ST-
segment changes, and the occurrence of a precipi-
tating stressor.1-4
We present an unusual circumstance of idiopathic
acute heart failure following an uneventful laparo-
scopic esophagomyotomy to manage progressive
dysphagia from achalasia of the esophagus.
CASE REPORT
A 59-year-old African American man with a diagno-
sis of achalasia of the esophagus established 2 years
previously presented with a complaint of progressive
dysphagia, fatigue, and a recent 30-pound weight loss.
Esophageal manometric testing performed at the time
of the original diagnosis demonstrated the classic
findings of aperistaltic, low-amplitude esophageal
contractions and an absence of lower esophageal
relaxation in response to swallowing. He had experi-
enced relief of his symptoms with endoscopic esoph-
ageal intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin shortly
after diagnosis, but significant dysphagia had returned
6 weeks prior to this presentation. An esophagram
revealed dilation of the intrathoracic esophagus and a
smooth bird-beak tapering of the distal esophagus at
the gastroesophageal junction, consistent with achala-
sia (Figure 1). The decision was made to perform a
laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication.
Address correspondence to
Kelly Ural, MD
Associate Program Director, Cardiothoracic Fellowship
Department of Anesthesiology
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
1514 Jefferson Hwy.
New Orleans, LA 70121
Tel: (504) 842-3755
Email: kural@ochsner.org
Keywords: Cardiomyopathy–stress, esophageal achalasia, Heller
myotomy, laparoscopy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy
The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the subject
matter of this article.
Volume 15, Number 1, Spring 2015 83
The Ochsner Journal 15:83–88, 2015
 Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation
The patient had no other significant medical
history and, specifically, no history of cardiovascular
disease. He denied any history of chest pain or
shortness of breath and stated he routinely achieved
4 METS (metabolic equivalents) of activity without any
adverse symptoms.
Preoperative workup 1 week prior to surgery
included a chest x-ray and a 2-dimensional (2-D)
echocardiogram. The echocardiogram revealed nor-
mal biventricular systolic function with an estimated
left ventricular ejection fraction of 60%-65%. Diastolic
function was normal, and the patient had no valvular
abnormalities. His preoperative chest x-ray was
normal (Figure 2). On the day of the procedure, he
denied any changes in symptoms, acknowledged
continued dysphagia limiting oral intake, and reported
he was otherwise in his normal state of health. His
vital signs were stable with a heart rate of 56 bpm and
blood pressure of 107/65 mmHg preprocedure. He
was given 2 mg of midazolam in the preoperative area
and was transported to the operating room. The
patient was monitored via pulse oximeter, blood
pressure cuff, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Anes-
thesia was induced intravenously with 150 mg of
propofol and 100 lg of fentanyl. He was paralyzed
with rocuronium and intubated without incident. Fiber-
optic bronchoscopy after induction of anesthesia
revealed mild bilateral changes of tracheobronchitis
with minimal secretions bilaterally. A right, lower lobe
bronchoalveolar lavage resulted in no bacterial
growth. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrat-
ed moderate dilation of an amotile esophagus. The
lower esophageal sphincter was noted at 41 cm from
the incisors, and the sphincter failed to open with
vigorous attempts of local insufflations. The sphincter
was traversed with gentle persistent pressure applied
by the tip of the flexible esophagoscope. The
characteristic pop felt with release of the sphincter’s
muscular resistance was appreciated as the esoph-
agoscope entered the proximal stomach. The stom-
Figure 1. Barium esophagram reveals bird-beak tapering at the gastroesophageal junction and
a dilated esophagus.
Acute Heart Failure after Heller Myotomy
84 The Ochsner Journal
ach, pylorus, and duodenum demonstrated mild
superficial inflammatory changes. After completion
of these endoscopic interventions, the patient’s
abdomen was prepped, and intraabdominal access
was achieved with an OPTIVIEW trocar (Ethicon US,
LLC) under visualization after adequate carbon
dioxide insufflations at 15 mmHg were established.
A total of 5 ports were utilized for instrument and
videoscope access. After anterior dissection of the
phrenoesophageal ligament and mobilization of the
anterior vagal pedicle over the lower 5 cm of the
esophagus, as we have previously described,5 3 mL
of 1:10,000 epinephrine/saline solution was injected
into the anterior esophageal muscular/submucosal
wall and the gastric submucosa around the gastro-
esophageal sling fibers to facilitate a plane of
dissection and to enhance hemostasis during the
esophagomyotomy. A Heller myotomy was per-
formed extending proximally 5 cm from the gastro-
esophageal muscular sling fibers and distally to the
submucosal venous plexus beyond the muscular
sling fibers of the gastric cardia, ensuring a complete
esophagomyotomy. A standard Dor fundoplication
was then performed, with the esophagoscope left in
place within the stomach to prevent excessive
narrowing at the gastroesophageal junction during
the fundoplication and to later assess the integrity of
the esophagogastric mucosa and the adequacy of the
myotomy.
The intraoperative course was uneventful, with
minimal blood loss and completion of the procedure
in 38 minutes. The patient experienced one brief
period of hypertension that responded to treatment
with metoprolol, intravenous (IV) fentanyl, and deep-
ening of the anesthetic. He was otherwise hemody-
namically stable throughout the procedure. He
received a total of 2,200 mL of crystalloid and did
not require any blood products. He was extubated in
the operating room and taken in stable condition to
the recovery room for postoperative monitoring.
In recovery, the patient remained on a facemask
at 6 L of supplemental oxygen. He was noted to be
hypotensive, with systolic blood pressures ranging
from 80-90 mmHg and diastolic pressures ranging
from 50-60 mmHg. Although his breathing did not
appear labored, he had copious respiratory secre-
tions and could not be weaned off supplemental
oxygen because of persistent hypoxia. Physical
examination demonstrated bilateral crackles. A chest
x-ray revealed widespread airspace consolidation,
concerning for pulmonary edema (Figure 3). An ECG
was negative for ischemia, estimated by a lack of ST-
segment elevation, and no cardiac conduction
abnormality was appreciated (Figure 4). An arterial
Figure 2. Preoperative chest x-ray shows no abnormal findings.
Ural, KG
Volume 15, Number 1, Spring 2015 85
blood gas panel revealed pH 7.34, PCO2 56, PaO2
129, and HCO3 30. Because of the patient’s
worsening cardiorespiratory status, the cardiology
team was consulted. A stat 2-D bedside echocardio-
gram revealed generalized hypokinesis of the infero-
lateral, basal, and midinferior wall, along with a
hypokinetic apical septum. Left ventricular systolic
function was severely depressed, with an estimated
ejection fraction of 20%-25%. Right ventricular
systolic function was normal. Cardiac biomarkers
were significant for elevated troponin I of 4.29 ng/mL
(normal range 0-0.026 ng/mL) and CPK-MB of 13.0
ng/mL (normal range 0.1-6.5 ng/mL). The patient
was given 40 mg of IV furosemide, with no
improvement in his respiratory status. He was then
re-intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit
for further management. Aspirin and clopidogrel
(Plavix) were started because of his elevated tropo-
nin levels. Heparin was not administered because of
his recent surgery. An arterial line was inserted for
better hemodynamic monitoring. The patient did not
require vasopressor therapy, and his blood pressure
remained in the range of 90-130/57-85 mmHg
overnight.
On postoperative day (POD) 1, left heart catheter-
ization showed that normal left main, left anterior
descending, left circumflex, and right coronary arter-
ies had no blockages. A transthoracic echocardio-
gram showed left ventricular function was still
depressed, with an estimated ejection fraction of
20%-25%. This echocardiogram also revealed a
worsening of right ventricular systolic function that
appeared severely depressed. No comment was
made regarding diastolic function. Ultimately, the
patient’s lung function improved, and he was weaned
off the ventilator and extubated on POD 3. A barium
esophagram performed on POD 4 demonstrated a
free flow of barium into the stomach without evidence
Figure 3. Postprocedure chest x-ray demonstrates acute onset of widespread airspace
consolidation involving the lungs bilaterally and symmetrically, consistent with pulmonary
edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute Heart Failure after Heller Myotomy
86 The Ochsner Journal
of mucosal leak. The patient was discharged home on
POD 5 on a soft postfundoplication diet. An outpatient
echocardiogram performed 2 weeks after surgery
demonstrated a return to normal left ventricular
systolic and diastolic function, with an estimated
ejection fraction of 55%-60%. Right ventricular size
and function were also reported as normal. At his
postoperative visit, the patient reported complete
resolution of his dysphagia and denied any further
cardiopulmonary symptoms.
DISCUSSION
Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is one of the
most common surgical approaches used today.
Laparoscopic management of achalasia of the esoph-
agus with Heller myotomy has become a standard
first-line management approach for this neuromotor
esophageal condition. Cardiovascular complications
occurring during laparoscopic surgery are rare, with a
reported incidence <0.02%.5,6 A review of the
literature did not reveal any reports of postoperative
cardiac complications directly resulting from this
procedure, making our case even more unique.7
Our hypothesis is that our patient suffered
myocardial stunning or SCM in the immediate
postoperative period, the cause of which is not
completely understood. SCM is thought to be
precipitated by severe acute physical or emotional
stress and may account for as many as 2%-3% of
patients presenting with signs and symptoms of acute
myocardial infarction.1 Our patient’s 30-pound weight
loss and progressive fatigue may have been the
precipitating events leading to his acute myocardial
stunning. Clinical characteristics of SCM include
transient left ventricular dysfunction, minimal or
absent coronary artery obstruction, wall motion
abnormalities on echocardiogram, new ECG ST-
segment elevation or T-wave inversion, and the
occurrence of a precipitating stressor.1,2 The most
common echocardiogram findings are transient hy-
pokinesis, akinesis, or dyskinesis of the left ventricular
mid-segments, with or without apical involvement.3
Our patient did not experience any ECG changes;
however, this finding does not exclude the diagnosis.
Although ECG changes occur in many of these
patients, in a 2010 case series report of more than
600 patients, 40% had normal ECGs at presentation.2
The pathophysiology is not completely understood
but is thought to be related to catecholamine-induced
Figure 4. Electrocardiogram performed postoperatively does not reveal any ST-segment
changes.
Table. Mayo Clinic Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Apical
Ballooning Syndrome
1. Transient hypokinesis, akinesis, or dyskinesis in the left
ventricular mid-segments with or without apical
involvement; regional wall motion abnormalities that extend
beyond a single epicardial vascular distribution; and
frequently, but not always, a stressful trigger
2. Absence of obstructive coronary disease or angiographic
evidence of acute plaque rupture
3. New electrocardiogram abnormalities (ST-segment elevation
and/or T-wave inversion) OR modest elevation in cardiac
troponin
4. Absence of pheochromocytoma and myocarditis
Source: Reprinted from American Heart Journal, Vol. 155/3, Prassad A,
Lerman A, Rihal CS, Apical ballooning syndrome (Tako-Tsubo or stress
cardiomyopathy): A mimic of acute myocardial infarction, 408-417, 2008,
with permission from Elsevier.
Ural, KG
Volume 15, Number 1, Spring 2015 87
myocardial stunning.3 In this same series, >90% of
patients had elevated troponin levels, as our patient
did. In 2008, researchers at the Mayo Clinic proposed
criteria to diagnose takotsubo cardiomyopathy (Ta-
ble).4
Another hypothesis is that our patient may have
suffered an adverse reaction to some of the medica-
tions he received intraoperatively. Case reports exist
of patients developing acute, transient heart failure
after general anesthetic with propofol and fentanyl
induction;4,8,9 however, in our opinion, these reports
do not establish a clear cause and effect relationship.
In one of these reports,8 the possibility of SCM is ruled
out because the patient’s echocardiogram showed
biventricular dysfunction and global hypokinesis.
Additionally, the patient had absent ECG findings. In
the second report,9 the possibility of SCM is not
addressed. We know that propofol and fentanyl cause
a decrease in systemic vascular resistance that is
enhanced when these drugs are given in combina-
tion;10 however, this enhanced decrease in vascular
resistance has the most clinical relevance in patients
with limited cardiovascular reserve and is dose
dependent. Our patient received a conservative dose
of both propofol and fentanyl on induction. Further-
more, our patient had had a procedure under general
anesthesia 2 months prior and was induced with a
combination of propofol and fentanyl with no compli-
cations, making an adverse drug reaction unlikely.
CONCLUSION
The unusual postoperative complication of acute
heart failure following uneventful laparoscopic sur-
gery should be kept in mind when unsuspected
cardiovascular compromise is seen in the early
perioperative recovery period. While we cannot
establish an exact diagnosis, SCM appears to be
the most likely. The important lesson is that when
diagnosed and treated quickly, most patients can fully
recover as our patient did. All patients undergoing
surgical procedures should be monitored carefully for
cardiovascular instability in the postoperative period,
regardless of their preoperative clinical status and the
perceived uneventful nature of the operative interven-
tion. In addition to the rare occurrence of acute
coronary ischemia syndromes and possible periop-
erative pulmonary embolic events, cardiovascular
decompensation related to acute stress syndromes
or idiopathic pharmacologic responses must be
considered. As in this case, even patients who seem
most healthy can have complications that warrant
immediate attention and treatment.
REFERENCES
1. Haynor J, Colombo C, Javaheri S. A novel approach to the
diagnosis of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. J Am Osteopath
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2. Lee JW, Kim JY, Youn YJ, et al. Clinical characteristics and
prognostic factors of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Korean
Circ J. 2010 Jun;40(6):277-282.
3. Ahmed S, Ungprasert P, Ratanapo S, Hussain T, Riesenfeld EP.
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4. Prasad A, Lerman A, Rihal CS. Apical ballooning syndrome
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myocardial infarction. Am Heart J. 2008 Mar;155(3):408-417.
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Int Surg. 1993 Jan-Mar;78(1):76-78.
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fentanyl in a healthy woman: a case report. J Med Case Rep.
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9. Chow SL, Houseman D, Phung T, French WJ. Transient acute
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This article meets the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of
Medical Specialties Maintenance of Certification competencies for Patient Care and Medical Knowledge.
Acute Heart Failure after Heller Myotomy
88 The Ochsner Journal


Acute idiopathic heart failure following laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia of the esophagus

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Acute idiopathic heart failure following laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia of the esophagus

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