Fast resolution of mild midvetricular takotsubo syndrome triggered by blunt chest trauma: case study.

Blunt chest trauma (BCT) may rarely trigger stress-induced takotsubo syndrome (TTS) which requires dif f erential diagnosis with myocardial contusion and BCT-induced myocardial infarction. So far reported cases have been presented as apical ballooning or inverted (reverse) TTS forms but not as a midventricular variant. The authors described a case of a 53-year-old female admitted to Intensive Care Unit after motor vehicle accident with BCT and airbag deployment during car roll over. For some time after the accident, she was trapped in a car with her head bent to the chest. After being pulled out from the car, she had impaired consciousness and therefore was intubated by the rescue team. Trauma computed tomography scan did not reveal any injuries. However, ECG showed ST-segment depression in II, III, aVF, V4-6, and discrete ST-segment elevation in aVR. Troponin I and NTpro-BNP increased to 2062 ng/l and 6413 pg/ml, respectively. Echocardiography revealed mild midventricular dysfunction of the left ventricle with ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) reduced to 45% and -17.6%, respectively. On day two, the patient's general condition improved and stabilized, so she was extubated. Normalization of ECG, EF and GLS (but not regional LS) was observed on day three. She was discharged home on day fi ve. Post-hospital examinations documented that segmental longitudinal strain remained abnormal for up to 4 weeks. The authors conclude that fast ECG and echocardiographic evolution may result in underestimation of the posttraumatic TTS diagnosis, especially if it takes atypical form and its course is mild. Longitudinal strain evaluation can be helpful in cardiac monitoring of trauma patients.

Importance of hospital and clinical factors for early mortality in Takotsubo syndrome: Insights from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome with symptoms similar to acute myocardial infarction. TTS is often triggered by acute emotional or physical stress and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Predictors of mortality in patients with TS are not well understood, and there is a need to identify high-risk patients and tailor treatment accordingly. This study aimed to assess the importance of various clinical factors in predicting 30-day mortality in TTS patients using a machine learning algorithm. METHODS: We analyzed data from the nationwide Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) for all patients with TTS in Sweden between 2015 and 2022. Gradient boosting was used to assess the relative importance of variables in predicting 30-day mortality in TTS patients. RESULTS: Of 3,180 patients hospitalized with TTS, 76.0% were women. The median age was 71.0 years (interquartile range 62-77). The crude all-cause mortality rate was 3.2% at 30 days. Machine learning algorithms by gradient boosting identified treating hospitals as the most important predictor of 30-day mortality. This factor was followed in significance by the clinical indication for angiography, creatinine level, Killip class, and age. Other less important factors included weight, height, and certain medical conditions such as hyperlipidemia and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Using machine learning with gradient boosting, we analyzed all Swedish patients diagnosed with TTS over seven years and found that the treating hospital was the most significant predictor of 30-day mortality.

Cardiac rupture as a life-threatening outcome of Takotsubo syndrome: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is a reversible cause of heart failure; however, a minority of patients can develop serious complications, including cardiac rupture (CR). OBJECTIVES: Analyze case reports of CR related to TS, detailing patient characteristics to uncover risk factors and prognosis for this severe complication. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE and Embase databases to identify case reports of patients with TS complicated by CR, from inception to October 2023. RESULTS: We included 44 subjects (40 females; 4 males) with a median age of 75 (IQR 71-82) years, of White/Caucasian (61%) or East Asian/Japanese (39%) ethnicity. An emotional trigger was present in 15 (34%) subjects and an apical ballooning pattern was observed in all cases (100%). ST-segment elevation was reported in 39 (93%) of 42 cases, with the anterior myocardial segments (37 [88%]) being the most compromised, followed by lateral (26 [62%]) and inferior (14 [33%]) segments. The median time to cardiac rupture was 48 (5-120) hours since admission, with the left ventricular free wall (25 [57%]) being the most frequent site of perforation. Surgery was attempted in 16 (36%) cases, and 28 (64%) patients did not survive. CONCLUSIONS: CR related to TS is a rare complication associated with high mortality and affecting elderly females, specially from White/Caucasian or East Asian/Japanese descent, presenting with anterior or lateral ST-segment elevation, and an apical ballooning pattern. Although data is limited and additional prospective studies are needed, the awareness of this life-threatening complication is crucial to early identify high-risk patients. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Cardiac rupture is a rare complication of Takotsubo syndrome. We conducted a systematic review of cases complicated by cardiac rupture, and we identified 44 subjects (40 females and 4 males) with a median age of 75 (IQR 71-82) years, of White/Caucasian (61%) or East Asian/Japanese (39%) ethnicity, all with an apical ballooning pattern (100%). The median time to cardiac rupture was 48 (5-120) hours since admission, with the left ventricular free wall (25 [57%]) being the most frequent site of perforation. Surgery treatment was attempted in 16 (36%) cases, and 28 (64%) patients did not survive.

Association of spontaneous coronary artery dissection and takotsubo syndrome: What has been suspected has been found.

There is ample literature revealing an association of SCAD with TTS, while it is not clear whether these 2 pathological entities are mechanistically linked in the sense that the one triggers the other. Considering that physical/emotional stress triggers TTS, it is plausible that stress related to SCAD, could result in the emergence of TTS. Conversely, it has been speculated that the junction between hypercontractile and akinetic/dyskinetic myocardium regions in TTS could lead to a "hinge pivoting point", imparting vascular disruption in coronary arteries, crossing these abutting myocardial planes, in susceptible individuals, causing SCAD.

An Unusual Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Cardiac Arrest: The Importance of Clinical Context in Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator Candidacy.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is characterized by acute heart failure, reversible left ventricular dysfunction, and other complications such as life-threatening arrhythmias. The management of TTS is challenging due to its unpredictable clinical course and the lack of evidence-based treatment recommendations. In this case report, we present a 71-year-old female who developed TTS with ventricular tachycardia (VT) cardiac arrest following septic shock and an exploratory laparotomy for appendicitis. Despite the presence of VT cardiac arrest and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30-35%, an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was not indicated due to the rapid and satisfactory recovery of the patient's ventricular function. This case highlights the importance of considering the clinical context and the transient nature of TTS in the decision-making process for ICD candidacy.

[Takotsubo syndrome in dengue patient]. / Síndrome de Takotsubo en paciente con dengue.

Takotsubo syndrome, was described in Japan in 1990, it is a stress cardiomyopathy, predominantly in women, usually postmenopausal. Cardiac hypokinesia occurs, with involvement of multiple coronary territories. In intensive care unit (ICU), it is considered underdiagnosed. Manifestations of severe dengue fever include cardiovascular involvement, mainly arrhythmias and systolic dysfunction. A case of a 72-year-old man is presented, who was hospitalized in ICU for dengue fever, with plateletopenia (15000 cells/mm3) and dehydration. After fluid management the patient reported respiratory discomfort, auscultating crackling rales. A pulmonary ultrasound was made where bilateral B lines were found with B7 pattern compatible with interstitial syndrome and pulmonary edema. Basal hyperkinesia, medial and apical hypokinesia with an image consistent with apical ballooning were observed in the transthoracic echocardiogram. The electrocardiogram showed complete right bundle branch block. Chagas serology was negative and quantitative troponin I was increased. In the context of severe dengue, a Takotsubo syndrome was diagnosed. The patient evolved favorably. After discharge, a normalization of the cardiac function was stated in ultrasound images. The case is of clinical importance due to the low association of these two diseases and the need to screen for cardiac involvement in severe dengue.

El síndrome de Takotsubo, fue descripto en Japón en 1990, se trata de una miocardiopatía por estrés, predominante en mujeres, generalmente postmenopáusicas. Se produce una hipoquinesia cardiaca, con compromiso de múltiples territorios coronarios. En las unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI), se considera subdiagnosticada. En las manifestaciones del dengue grave, se encuentra el compromiso cardiovascular, principalmente arritmias y disfunción sistólica. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 72 años, internado en UTI por dengue, con plaquetopenia (15000 células/mm3) y deshidratación. Luego de la administración de fluidos refirió disconfort respiratorio, auscultándose estertores pulmonares. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar donde se apreció líneas B bilaterales con patrón B7 compatible con síndrome intersticial y edema pulmonar. En el ecocardiograma transtorácico se objetivó hiperquinesia basal, hipoquinesia medial y apical con imagen compatible con balonamiento apical. En el electrocardiograma se evidenció bloqueo completo de rama derecha. La serología para Chagas fue negativa y la troponina I cuantitativa se detectó aumentada. Se diagnosticó síndrome de Takotsubo en el contexto de dengue grave. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente. Posterior al alta, se constató normalización de la motilidad cardíaca, en las imágenes ecográficas. El caso es de importancia clínica por la baja asociación de las dos enfermedades y la necesidad de pesquisar el compromiso cardíaco en el dengue grave.

On animal pathophysiology-seeking models of takotsubo syndrome.

The aim of this viewpoint/commentary on a recent contribution by the Gothenburg takotsubo syndrome (TTS) laboratory, in which the authors provide a comprehensive review/state of the art report on the animal models, currently employed in the elucidation of the pathophysiology of TTS, is to intensify the debate as to what constitutes a suitable TTS animal model with as promising as possible translational potential to the human TTS.

Simplified echocardiographic assessment of regional left ventricular wall motion pattern in patients with takotsubo and acute coronary syndrome: The randomized blinded Two-chamber Apical Kinesis Observation (TAKO) study.

BACKGROUND: Differentiating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) from acute coronary syndrome involving the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD-ACS) is difficult due to left ventricular apical wall motion abnormality pattern in both and typically requires an invasive coronary angiography (ICA) study for diagnostic confirmation. OBJECTIVES: To identify differences in the regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) pattern using a comprehensive comparative analysis of the transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) findings in patients with TTC versus LAD-ACS. METHODS: This was a retrospective, randomized, blinded comparison study including a derivation cohort of 105 patients with TTC (N=52) or LAD-ACS (N=53) with concomitant TTE and ICA identified from our institutional database. A comprehensive echocardiographic wall motion analysis was performed (unblinded) to search for subtle differences in RWMA patterns by marking the exact locations of the end-systolic hinge points (HP) - defined as the intersection between the normal and abnormal regional myocardial thickening - in all apical views. The HP location relative to mitral annulus in each apical view was compared for symmetry and the apical 2-chamber (A2C) view was identified as having the most consistent, quantitative difference between TTC and LAD-ACS. This A2C quantitative model was then prospectively studied in a randomized, blinded, validation cohort of 30 subjects with either TTC or LAD-ACS by eight echocardiographic readers with all levels of clinical experience. RESULTS: In the unblinded derivation cohort, the A2C view showed that the ratio (1.02) and the absolute distance between the anterior HP (3.57 cm) and the inferior HP (3.53 cm) in TTC was significantly different than the ratio (0.761) and the absolute differences between the AHP (4.5 cm) and the IHP (5.93 cm) in LAD-ACS. An AHP: IHP of 0.96 for men and 0.84 for women was able to correctly categorize 84.8% of male and 91.7% of female patients. When applied to the validation cohort, the model showed fairly accurate results with a 74% prediction rate in diagnosing TTC in female patients. CONCLUSION: We propose a relatively simple 2-D TTE diagnostic tool emphasizing subtle differences in the RWMA pattern in the A2C view alone as a semi-quantitative imaging parameter to help differentiate TTC from LAD-ACS.

A Rare Case of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Complicated by Thromboemboli.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning triggered by emotional and/or physical stress. A few risk factors have been observed in patients with recurrent TTS, for example, excessive sympathetic stimuli, medications, stress, and tumors. Clinical features can vary from chest pain to overt hemodynamic instability. Diagnosis requires both electrocardiographic features and invasive imaging such as angiography to rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy prior to diagnosis. In addition, renal infarcts presenting as a complication of TTS are relatively uncommon. In this case report, we discuss the case of a 61-year-old African American woman with a prior history of TTS being managed for abdominal pain who developed a recurrence of the TTS during the hospital course. Prompt diagnosis and management of the condition is crucial to improve outcomes especially in patients with thromboembolic phenomenon or hemodynamic instability. Further large-scale studies are warranted to determine outcomes of patients with recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with thromboembolic phenomenon.

Incidence and Impact of Takotsubo Syndrome in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome has been reported in patients with COVID-19, although minimal data are available. This investigation assessed the incidence and impact of takotsubo syndrome on patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes to identify patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 with or without takotsubo syndrome in the National Inpatient Sample 2020 database. Outcomes between groups were compared after propensity score matching for patient and hospital demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 211,448 patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 were identified. Of these, 171 (0.08%) had a secondary diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome. Before matching, patients with COVID-19 and takotsubo syndrome, compared with patients without takotsubo syndrome, were older (68.95 vs 64.26 years; P < .001); more likely to be female (64.3% vs 47.2%; P < .001); and more likely to have anxiety (24.6% vs 12.8%; P < .001), depression (17.5% vs 11.4%; P = .02), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (24.6% vs 14.7%; P < .001). The takotsubo syndrome group had worse outcomes than the non-takotsubo syndrome group for death (30.4% vs 11.1%), cardiac arrest (7.6% vs 2.1%), cardiogenic shock (12.9% vs 0.4%), length of hospital stay (10.7 vs 7.5 days), and total charges ($152,685 vs $78,468) (all P < .001). After matching and compared with the non-takotsubo syndrome group (n = 508), the takotsubo syndrome group (n = 170) had a higher incidence of inpatient mortality (30% vs 14%; P < .001), cardiac arrest (7.6% vs 2.8%; P = .009), and cardiogenic shock (12.4% vs 0.4%; P < .001); a longer hospital stay (10.7 vs 7.6 days; P < .001); and higher total charges ($152,943 vs $79,523; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Takotsubo syndrome is a rare but severe in-hospital complication in patients with COVID-19.

Takotsubo syndrome: Impact of medical therapies on prognosis. A state of art review.

Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TTS) presents as transient ventricular dysfunction, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains enigmatic. The prognosis of patients presenting with TTS appears to be impaired as compared to the general population and is similar to patients with acute coronary syndromes. Recent investigations have predominantly focused on elucidating therapeutic strategies associated with improved outcomes, particularly among post-menopausal female patients. Current evidence suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) may confer a survival advantage in TTS. Notably, ACEi emerges as the sole therapeutic modality demonstrating efficacy in both acute and chronic clinical courses of TTS. Despite this, the magnitude of survival benefit remains less pronounced than anticipated. This underscores the need for further research to explore additional therapeutic pathways and optimize management strategies for this unique patient cohort. Randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis are paramount in discerning the most effective therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing survival and ameliorating outcomes in TTS. This review aims to comprehensively synthesize evidence pertaining to the prognostic implications of cardiovascular medications in TTS management.

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/takotsubo syndrome: A new hypothesis of takotsubo syndrome pathophysiology.

The pathophysiology of TTS is still elusive. This viewpoint proposes that TTS is an acute coronary syndrome, engendered by an ASNS/catecholamine-induced LVOTO, which results in an enhanced wall stress and afterload-based supply/demand mismatch, culminating in a segmental myocardial ischemic injury state, in susceptible individuals. Such individuals are felt to be particularly women with chronic hypertension, known or latent HCM, or non-HCM segmental myocardial hypertrophy, and certain structural abnormalities involving the LV and the MV apparatus. Recommendations are provided to explore further this hypothesis, while maintaining our focus on all other advanced TTS pathophysiology hypotheses for all patients, or those who do not experience LVOTO, men, the young, and patients with reverse, mid-ventricular, or right ventricular TTS, in whom more prolonged hyperadrenergic stimulation and/or larger amounts of blood-ridden catecholamines, segmental particularities of cardiac innervation and/or density of α-, and ß-adrenergic receptors, pheochromocytoma, neurological chronic or acute comorbidities/catastrophies, coronary epicardial/microvascular vasospasm, and CMD.

An update on the mechanisms of Takotsubo syndrome: "At the end an acute coronary syndrome".

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute reversible form of myocardial dysfunction, often preceded by a physical or emotional stressful event, that acts as a trigger. Despite, recent advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms leading to TTS, its pathophysiology is far from being completely understood. However, several studies seem to suggest that an acute coronary microvascular dysfunction may represent a crucial pathogenic mechanism involved in TTS occurrence. In this article, we aim to review the complex pathophysiology of TTS and the possible different mechanisms underlying this clinical condition, focusing on the role of coronary microvascular dysfunction and the remaining knowledge's gaps in the field.

Electromechanical Window and Spontaneous Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Takotsubo Syndrome.

QT interval prolongation is common in patients hospitalized with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), however, only a minority experience ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Our aim was to characterize the electromechanical window (EMW) in patients with TTS and to evaluate its association with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We preformed aretrospective analysis of 84 patients hospitalized with TTS in the Tel-Aviv Medical Center between 2013 and 2022. All patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation and the EMW was calculated by subtracting the QT interval from the QRS onset to the aortic valve closure obtained from a continuous-wave Doppler for the same beat. Of the 84 patients with TTS, 74 (88%) were female and the mean age was 70 ± 11 years. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 42 ± 8%. The EMW was negative in 81 patients (96%), and the mean EMW was -69 ± 50 ms. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias occurred in 7 patients (8%). The EMW of patients who experienced ventricular tachyarrhythmias was more negative than patients who did not (-133 ± 23 ms vs -63 ± 48 ms, p = 0.001). In the univariate analysis, EMW and QT were associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (univariate odds ratio [OR]EMW 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.05, p = 0.003 and univariate ORQTc 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03, p = 0.02); however, only EMW remained significant in the multivariate analysis (OREMW 1.03 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05, p = 0.023). EMW was more effective than corrected QT interval in identifying patients who had ventricular tachyarrhythmias (AUCEMW: 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97 vs AUCQTc 0.77, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.93, p = 0.02), and a cut-off value of -108 ms was predictive of ventricular tachyarrhythmias with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 79%. In conclusion, EMW is negative in patients with TTS and is associated with increased risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The role of EMW in the risk stratification of patients with TTS warrants further investigation.

Comparison of electrographic changes, clinical features and outcomes in different variants of Takotsubo syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of the left ventricular (LV) apex (apical variant) is the most common form in Takotsubo syndrome (TS). Several less common non-apical variants have been described - mid-ventricular, basal and focal. We hypothesised that the clinical presentation, and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings may vary between apical and non-apical TS. METHODS: We prospectively identified 194 consecutive patients with TS presenting to Middlemore Hospital, Auckland and obtained clinical, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and long-term follow-up data. ECGs at admission and Day 1 were compared. RESULTS: Of 194 patients with TS, 168 (86.6%) had apical TS, and 26 (13.4%) non-apical TS (11 mid-ventricular TS, 5 basal TS, 10 focal TS). Apical TS patients had more significant LV systolic impairment (p = 0.001) and longer length of stay (p = 0.001). The extent of T-wave inversion (TWI) was similar for both groups on admission (p = 0.88). By Day 1 the extent of TWI was greater in apical TS group (median number of leads 5 vs. 1, p = 0.02). The change in QTc interval between admission and Day 1 was greater in apical TS group (29.7 ms vs. 2.77 ms, p < 0.001). Composite in-hospital complication rate was similar for both groups (13.7% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non-apical variants, apical TS patients develop more extensive TWI and greater QT prolongation on ECG, and more significant LV systolic impairment, but in-hospital complications were similar. Clinicians should be aware that there is a sub-group of TS patients who have non-apical regional wall motion abnormalities and who don't develop ECG changes typical of the more common apical variant.