Abstract

Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe medical procedure, but the incidence rate of major complications is 0.08-0.3%. Here, we report 2 cases of stress induced cardiomyopathy, which developed immediately after flexible bronchoscopy. Stress related cardiomyopathy was confirmed by EKG, echocardiography, and coronary angiogram. The cardiac functions of these patients were fully recovered with conservative treatment. Although, the pathogenesis of stress related cardiomyopathy is not well understood, post-bronchoscopy tachycardia or arrhythmia is thought to be associated with hypoxemia or catecholamine excess. Because the clinical presentation is quite similar to acute myocardial infarction, discrete evaluations are required for appropriate treatment.

• Keywords: bronchoscopy;catecholamine;stress cardiomyopathy;takotsubo cardiomyopathy;