Guwahati: In a significant development, a rare heart complication “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy” was treated at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) recently.
Professor Pranabjyoti Bhattacharyya, Department of Cardiology, GMCH said that a complete diagnosis of this rare condition was possible due to availability of advanced diagnostic testing facilities in GMCH’s cardiology department.
The rare complication was reported in association with SARS-Cov-2 infection in a pregnant lady recently. This is the first such reported case during the ongoing pandemic, Bhattacharyya said.
“With necessary treatment, a patient tested RT-PCR negative, underwent a Caesarean section and delivered a healthy baby boy and had a complete recovery of her heart problem,” he added.
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Prof Bhattacharyya and his departmental colleagues presented a scientific paper, which was published online in medical journal BMJ Case Reports by BMJ Publishing Group from London on September 28.
The paper said that the condition can mimic acute heart attack and is considered to be a reversible form of heart muscle weakness characterised by a complete recovery within two months.
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“This condition classically affects post-menopausal women and is rare in pregnancy. The more intense inflammation associated with COVID-19 may contribute to its development. Pregnant women may be at greater risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection as the virus enters the cell via the ACE 2 receptor, which is upregulated in normal pregnancy,” it said.