Severe stress cardiomyopathy following spinal corrective surgery for scoliosis complicated with pectus excavatum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterized by transient, usually reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction with normal or enhanced basal compensatory wall motion abnormalities involving the left ventricular anterior septum and apex, resulting in a "ballooning" appearance. However, it has rarely been reported in patients undergoing spinal surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of severe stress cardiomyopathy in a scoliosis patient with pectus excavatum who underwent spinal corrective surgery. During the wake-up period, circulatory collapse occurred. After multidisciplinary consultation, the patient was diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy. At last, she had a good prognosis after a series of treatments including ECMO. CONCLUSION: Stress cardiomyopathy is a reversible but uncommon condition. It can cause death if it is not diagnosed in time. Consequently, this report should improve the awareness of orthopedists and anesthesiologists for timely identification and management. For patients with potential risk factors, timely preoperative intervention should be performed to reduce the occurrence of stress cardiomyopathy.

Clinical perspectives: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo syndrome is a condition characterised by temporary acute left ventricular dysfunction with regional wall abnormalities extending beyond a single coronary artery territory. Initially thought to be benign, this condition, which is challenging to distinguish from acute coronary syndrome, has substantial morbidity and mortality. The mechanism behind this condition remains elusive, but multiple theories have been proposed. Although beta blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are used as treatments for left ventricular dysfunction, currently, there are no randomised controlled trials to support their use. In this paper, we review the latest evidence regarding aetiologies, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, prognosis, complications and management of Takotsubo syndrome.

Temporal Trends in Takotsubo Syndrome: Results From the International Takotsubo Registry.

BACKGROUND: The perception of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) has evolved significantly over the years, primarily driven by increased recognition of acute complications and mortality. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore temporal trends in demographic patterns, risk factors, clinical presentations, and outcomes in patients with TTS. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with TTS between 2004 and 2021 were enrolled from the InterTAK (International Takotsubo) registry. To assess temporal trends, patients were divided into 6 groups, each corresponding to a 3-year interval within the study period. RESULTS: Overall, 3,957 patients were included in the study. There was a significant demographic transition, with the proportion of male patients rising from 10% to 15% (P = 0.003). Although apical TTS remained the most common form, the diagnosis of midventricular TTS increased from 18% to 28% (P = 0.018). The prevalence of physical triggers increased from 39% to 58% over the years (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in 60-day mortality over the years (P < 0.001). However, a landmark analysis excluding patients who died within the first 60 days showed no differences in 1-year mortality (P = 0.150). CONCLUSIONS: This study of temporal trends in TTS highlights a transition in patients demographic with a growing prevalence among men, increasing recognition of midventricular TTS type, and increased short-term mortality and rates of cardiogenic shock in recent years. This transition aligns with the rising prevalence of physical triggers, as expression of increased recognition of TTS in association with acute comorbidities.

Reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the setting of small bowel obstruction: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Stress cardiomyopathy refers to a syndrome of acute but reversible left ventricular dysfunction, often triggered by emotional or physical stress. Reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an uncommon variant that occurs in about 5% of cases. Classically, it has been known to be following a catecholamine surge due to physical or emotional stress. This case highlights the importance for physicians to be aware of the possibility of developing stress cardiomyopathy in patients with acute intra-abdominal processes. Case presentation: Forty-one-year-old Caucasian female with was admitted with an acute small bowel obstruction. After failing conservative management, it was decided to proceed with surgery. After induction with anesthesia but prior to the surgeons first incision, the patient developed a tachyarrhythmia with hemodynamic compromise requiring the surgery to be aborted. That evening, she developed chest pain with concerns for an acute coronary syndrome. She was taken urgently to the for invasive angiography, which demonstrated reverse Takotsubo. Clinical discussion: Intra-abdominal processes and intubation have previously been reported be catalyst for this disease process. This patient had multiple stressors including mechanical bowel obstruction and anesthesia after failing conservative management. The diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiography and left ventriculogram, and followed up with repeat outpatient echocardiography. Conclusion: A case of small bowel obstruction that developed reverse Takotsubo preceded by sustained ventricular tachycardia after intubation. The patient did well and had complete recovery cardiac function. Risk factors and underlining mechanism for the different variants of stress cardiomyopathy are not well understood, further investigation is warranted.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated With Influenza A and a Ground-Level Fall.

Our case involves a 92-year-old female who presented to the emergency department due to a ground-level fall and difficulty breathing. She was found to have influenza A, elevated troponin, and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. However, cardiac catheterization did not reveal any coronary artery stenosis, supporting a diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). The patient's ejection fraction was normal after nine months. This case highlights the importance of considering TC in elderly female patients who have reduced ejection fraction and elevated troponin in the setting of infection and a recent fall.

Chronobiological variation in takotsubo syndrome: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) might exhibit particular chronobiological patterns in its onset, characterized by variations according to time of the day, day of the week, and month of the year. The aim of this study was to fully explore the temporal patterns (circadian, weekly and seasonal) in the onset of TTS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (2006-2024) reporting the temporal patterns (circadian, weekly and/or seasonal) in the onset of TTS. Among the 4257 studies retrieved, 20 (including 64,567 subjects) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Data were aggregated used random effects model as pooled risk ratio and the attributable risk (AR). The proportion analysis (including 8 studies; n=853) showed a decreasing pattern of the pooled rates of TTS shifting from the morning to the night (pooled TTS rates: 34.0%; 32.1%; 21.7%; 12.7% in the morning, afternoon, evening and night, respectively). The same pattern was observed stratifying by type of preceding stressful factor or event, considering physical stressors (pooled rates in the morning and night: 37.6% and 9.8%, respectively), and also in case no event could be identified. The pooled rates of TTS onset peaked on Monday and Tuesday (17.3% and 18.4% respectively), then declined during the week, reaching the lowest rates on Friday and Saturday (10.6% and 10.8%, respectively), with no sex differences. TTS onset reached the highest values on summer, and the lowest in winter (27.9% versus 21.7% in summer and winter, respectively). The TTS morning peak based analyses (∼33% of all the registered events) account for a RR of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.38-1.54), the week-based for a RR of 1.26 (1.16-1.35), the season-based for a RR of 1.04 (1.04-1.05). TTS onset exhibits specific chronobiological patterns, characterized by a peak during the morning hours, and on Monday and Tuesday. Differing from other cardiovascular emergencies TTS was more frequent during summer. Further studies are needed to fully understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in order to tailor relative management and preventive strategies.

Cardioversion-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome," is a rare and reversible condition characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction. It is typically triggered by acute emotional or physical stressors. Here, we present a unique case of TCM occurring in a 77-year-old woman following cardioversion for persistent and symptomatic atrial fibrillation. The patient underwent uncomplicated cardioversion with recent imaging showing intact global systolic function. She presented four days post-procedure for chest pain, shortness of breath, and peripheral edema. A repeat echocardiogram showed a marked decrease in cardiac function evidenced by an ejection fraction of 20-25%. The patient was readmitted and managed with IV diuretics. Symptoms resolved within three days and the patient showed improved cardiac function on imaging prior to discharge.

ATAK complex (adrenaline, takotsubo, anaphylaxis, and kounis hypersensitivity-associated coronary syndrome) related to latamoxef administration-a case report.

Background: Adrenaline, stress cardiomyopathy, allergic reactions, and Kounis syndrome (Adrenaline, Takotsubo, Anaphylaxis, Kounis Complex, ATAK) constitute a complex clinical syndrome often associated with endogenous or exogenous adrenaline. Due to its rapid onset, severity, and treatment challenges, it warrants significant attention from clinicians. This article reports a case of Type II Kounis syndrome combined with stress cardiomyopathy (ATAK) triggered by a latamoxef-induced allergy. Case report: A 67-year-old male patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to the respiratory department for treatment. The day before discharge, after receiving a latamoxef infusion for 27 min, the patient developed wheezing, dyspnea, chills, profuse sweating, and an elevated body temperature, necessitating transfer to the ICU for monitoring and treatment. The ECG suggested a suspected myocardial infarction, while bedside echocardiography showed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40%, segmental dysfunction of the left ventricle, and apical rounding. Emergency coronary angiography revealed 50% segmental eccentric stenosis in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery. The final diagnosis was Type II Kounis Syndrome combined with stress cardiomyopathy due to a latamoxef-induced allergy, i.e., ATAK. Despite aggressive treatment, the patient succumbed to severe cardiogenic shock on the third day in the ICU. Conclusion: ATAK is a critical condition that progresses rapidly. For patients experiencing severe allergic reactions, monitoring biomarkers such as Troponin and ECG changes is crucial for timely recognition. If a patient is diagnosed with Kounis syndrome, caution should be exercised in using adrenaline to prevent ATAK.

Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2023 Cases of SCMR Case Series.

"Cases of SCMR" is a case series on the SCMR website (https://www.scmr.org) for the purpose of education. The cases reflect the clinical presentation, and the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. The 2023 digital collection of cases are presented in this manuscript.

Development of a small animal model replicating core characteristics of takotsubo syndrome in humans.

Aims: Adequate animal models are necessary to understand human conditions, such as takotsubo syndrome (TS) characterized by the heart's transient regional wall motion abnormalities. This study aims to develop a reproducible, low-mortality TS model that closely mimics the human condition and addresses the limitations of existing models. Methods and results: We conducted six experiments using 309 Sprague Dawley rats, each approximately 300 g and aged 7-8 weeks. Initially, we replicated an established model using intraperitoneal isoprenaline injections. Subsequent experiments varied the doses and infusion durations of intravenous isoprenaline and assessed the effects of sex, strain, and breeder on the development of reversible akinetic segments. High-resolution echocardiography monitored the regional wall motion over 30 days to correlate with histological changes. Increasing the isoprenaline dose and the infusion time significantly enhanced akinesia (P < 0.01), resulting in pronounced apical ballooning observed in three-dimensional imaging. Akinesia peaked at 6 h post-infusion, with recovery observed at 24 h; most rats recovered from akinetic segments within 48-72 h. Optimizing the mode of administration, dose, and duration achieved a TS-like phenotype in 90% of cases, with a 16.7% mortality rate. Histological examinations confirmed that myocardial injury occurred, independent of apical ballooning. Conclusion: This study presents a refined TS model that reliably replicates the syndrome's key features, including morphological and electrocardiographic changes, demonstrating its transient nature with high fidelity and reduced mortality. The model's reproducibility, evidenced by consistent results across trials, suggests its potential for broader application pending further validation.

Perioperative management of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: an overview.

Resembling the morphology of Japanese polyp vessels, the classic form of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by the presence of systolic dysfunction of the mid-apical portion of the left ventricle associated with basal hyperkinesia. It is believed that this may be due to a higher density of ß-adrenergic receptors in the context of the apical myocardium, which could explain the greater sensitivity of the apex to fluctuations in catecholamine levels.The syndrome is precipitated by significant emotional stress or acute severe pathologies, and it is increasingly diagnosed during the perioperative period. Indeed, surgery, induction of general anaesthesia and critical illness represent potential harmful trigger of stress cardiomyopathy. No universally accepted guidelines are currently available, and, generally, the treatment of TTS relies on health care personal experience and/or local practice. In our daily practice, anaesthesiologists can be asked to manage patients with the diagnosis of new-onset Takotsubo before elective surgery or an emergent surgery in a patient with a concomitant stress cardiomyopathy. Even more, stress cardiomyopathy can arise as a complication during the operation.In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of Takotsubo syndrome and to discuss how to manage Takotsubo during surgery and in anaesthesiologic special settings.

The Association Between the Location of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Occurrence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a syndrome characterized by transient regional cardiac dysfunction of the left ventricle. The goal of this review is to better understand the relationship between the anatomic locations of subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and the development of TCM as identified through a review of cohort studies. From inception to December 2023, we systematically explored major electronic medical information sources to identify cases of TCM that developed after SAHs. The six selected studies included in the meta-analysis suggest a modest but statistically significant increase in the odds of the events in the posterior circulation group compared to the anterior circulation group, with a combined odds ratio (OR) estimate of around 1.45-1.46. The fixed effect model gives an overall OR of 1.45 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.10, z = 2.01, p = 0.0442, while the random effects model yields a slightly higher OR of 1.46 with the same 95% CI, z = 2.03, p = 0.0425. There is a tendency for SAH occurrence in the posterior cerebral circulation to cause SAH-related TCM more frequently than in the anterior cerebral circulation.

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.

Life-Threatening Arrhythmias in Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome: Insights Into Pathophysiology and Treatment Innovations.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a reversible form of acute myocardial injury due to a neurocardiogenic mechanism associated with a relevant risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, occurring in up to 25% of all patients and including both ventricular arrhythmias (especially) in the context of QT prolongation and atrial tachy- or bradyarrhythmias. The pathogenetic mechanisms of TTS-related arrhythmic complications are not completely understood, and there are no randomized clinical trials addressing the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management in this specific setting. In this narrative review, the authors provide an overview of the pathogenesis and the therapeutic management of arrhythmic complications in patients with TTS, along with the future perspectives and the remaining knowledge gaps in this field.

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.

Animal models of Takotsubo syndrome: bridging the gap to the human condition.

Modelling human diseases serves as a crucial tool to unveil underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology. Takotsubo syndrome (TS), an acute form of heart failure resembling myocardial infarction, manifests with reversible regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) of the ventricles. Despite its mortality and clinical similarity to myocardial infarction, TS aetiology remains elusive, with stress and catecholamines playing central roles. This review delves into current animal models of TS, aiming to assess their ability to replicate key clinical traits and identifying limitations. An in-depth evaluation of published animal models reveals a variation in the definition of TS among studies. We notice a substantial prevalence of catecholamine-induced models, particularly in rodents. While these models shed light on TS, there remains potential for refinement. Translational success in TS research hinges on models that align with human TS features and exhibit the key features, including transient RWMA. Animal models should be comprehensively evaluated regarding the various systemic changes of the applied trigger(s) for a proper interpretation. This review acts as a guide for researchers, advocating for stringent TS model standards and enhancing translational validity.