Stress-induced transient cardiomyopathy due to accidental administration of norepinephrine

A 48-year-old healthy female underwent an uncomplicated right ovariectomy. Relaxation status was checked post-surgery. A train of four of 2 of 4 twitches was scored. At this point, 5000 mu g of norepinephrine was erroneously administered instead of 2500 mu g neostigmine along with 1000 mu g of atropine. The postoperative period was complicated by pulmonary oedema, for which non-invasive mechanical ventilation was initiated in the intensive care unit. A transthoracic echocardiogram TTE revealed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%. One month after discharge, control TTE showed normalised systolic cardiac function.