skip to main content

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateAcute Cardiac PresentationsTakotsubo cardiomyopathySCE Acute Medicine

A 34-year-old man presents with acute chest symptoms with haemodynamic concern. Relevant history includes cardiovascular risk factors or structural heart disease. On assessment, haemodynamic findings and ECG changes are present. Investigations show emotional trigger, unobstructed coronaries and apical ballooning. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

The key discriminator is that emotional trigger, unobstructed coronaries and apical ballooning, which makes Takotsubo cardiomyopathy the single best answer. Aortic dissection is less appropriate because it does not address the dominant acute risk in the vignette; Vasculitic pulmonary-renal syndrome would fit a different presentation or later stage of care. Bacterial meningitis and Decompensated cirrhosis are suboptimal because they would either delay time-critical treatment or follow the wrong acute pathway. Teaching point: SCE-style acute medicine questions usually test prioritisation using physiology, timing and a guideline-defined threshold, rather than isolated factual recall.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance#acute-medicine-order-36-1