Abstract
The present article describes the case of a 70-year-old woman who developed a classic type takotsubo cardiomyopathy after receiving cosmetic sclerotherapy for varicose veins of the legs with sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) injections. The patient was in her usual state of health before the injections, and described no apprehension leading up to the procedure and no pain during the procedure. However, a few minutes after the completion of the procedure, the patient had severe chest pain of sudden onset and an electrocardiogram highly suggestive of ST elevation myocardial infarction. The patient was referred for emergent coronary angiography, which was normal. Subsequent ventriculography confirmed the suspected apical ballooning typical of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Ventricular function returned to near-normal within three days of presentation. The present article describes what is believed to be the first case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with the use of STS. A review of adverse events ascribed to STS revealed visual disturbances and transient ischemic attacks, suggesting the possibility of a common underlying vasospastic pathophysiology and an under- recognized vasoactive potential of STS that merits further investigation. In the interim, the present case advocates for the recommendation of universal pretreatment test dosing.