Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome, is named for echocardiographic features that look like the “tako-tsubo” (octopus trap). While classically associated with older women after experiencing significant emotional distress, it can also occur in paediatrics. Our patient is an 11-year-old male with a complex medical history who developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after cardiac arrest during anaesthesia induction. He was successfully resuscitated, but this case highlights an example of an unusual drug interaction and the first of its description in paediatrics.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has an incidence of 1% of acute coronary syndrome in the adult population, and the risk of recurrence is approximately 1.5% per year. However, only a few cases have been reported in children. Having a neurologic disorder and being exposed to the same trigger repeatedly have been associated with an increased risk.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or transient apical ballooning syndrome very rarely presents in children. In all patients with takotsubo, it is estimated that only 3.5% will have recurrence. In this study, we describe a case of recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a child, likely triggered by status epilepticus.