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Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a clinical medical condition not linked to obstructive coronary artery disease, marked by temporary left ventricular wall motion disturbances that lead to reversible, acute heart failure.
A 52-year-old woman with a history of generalized anxiety disorder and hypertension arrived at the emergency department after experiencing sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing that began immediately after participating in a 15-minute session of a virtual reality horror game using a headset.
This case highlights a rare and novel trigger of TCM exposure to immersive virtual reality. As virtual reality technologies become increasingly integrated into entertainment and healthcare, clinicians should be aware of their potential to provoke significant physiological stress responses, particularly in individuals with predisposing risk factors.
Abbreviations: ACS: Acute coronary syndrome, CAD: coronary artery disease, STEMI: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, TCM: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, VR: virtual reality
Keywords: coronary artery disease; Heartbroken syndrome; virtual reality; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Citation: Alnemer KA. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by virtual reality exposure in a middle-aged woman: a novel presentation. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(5):640-645 DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i5.2935
Received: May 10, 2025; Revised: July 06, 2025; Accepted: July 09, 2025