Sex differences in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome: a state-of-the-art review.

Cardiovascular conditions in the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes are characterized by sex differences with regard to pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, invasive and pharmacologic treatment, and outcomes. This review delves into these differences, including specific subsets like myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries or Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection, and alternative diagnoses like Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. Moreover, practical considerations are enclosed, on how a sex-specific approach should be integrated in clinical practice: in fact, personal history should focus on female-specific risk factors, and hormonal status and hormonal therapy should be assessed. Moreover, physical and psychological stressors should be investigated, particularly in the event of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Can a "broken heart" successfully be transplanted? A brief report.

A 59-year-old woman, with dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy, was urgently admitted to our Intensive Care Unit for cardiogenic shock. ECMO VA was implanted and placed on the national emergency waitlist for transplantation. A potential donation was identified ten days later. The donor was a 58-year-old woman, with no cardiovascular risk factors, had died of a rupture of a cerebral aneurysm with left ventricle dysfunction due to Takotsubo syndrome. Brain injuries such as hemorrhage, trauma and stroke have been extensively documented in literature to cause a surge in stress hormones, such as catecholamines. Such a surge can have a direct effect on the heart, resulting in a transient myocardial dysfunction commonly referred to as "Takotsubo cardiomyopathy" or "broken heart syndrome". Many studies have shown that hearts that are dysfunctional at the start of transplant screening, with normal contractile function at the time of organ retrieval, have similar outcomes to hearts that do not have dysfunction. In our case, the transplanted heart, at the time of sampling, still had moderate dysfunction (EF 40%) which completely disappeared after the transplant.

Is Takotsubo syndrome induced by patent ductus arteriosus occlusion?

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), commonly referred to as "broken heart syndrome," is a distinctive form of acute and reversible heart failure that primarily affects young to middle-aged individuals, particularly women. While emotional or physical stressors often trigger TTS, rare cases have been linked to interventional procedures for congenital heart disease (CHD). Despite its recognition, the exact causes of TTS remain elusive. Research indicates that dysregulation in autonomic nerve function, involving sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, plays a pivotal role. Genetic factors, hormonal influences like estrogen, and inflammatory processes also contribute, unveiling potential gender-specific differences in its occurrence. Understanding these multifaceted aspects of TTS is crucial for refining clinical approaches and therapies. Continued research efforts will not only deepen our understanding of this syndrome but also pave the way for more targeted and effective diagnostic and treatment strategies. In this report, we conduct an in-depth analysis of a case involving a TTS patient, examining the illness progression and treatment procedures. The aim of this analysis is to enhance the understanding of TTS among primary care physicians. By delving into this case, we aspire to prevent misdiagnosis of typical TTS cases that patients may present, thereby ensuring a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Frequent POCUS and auscultation for an earlier diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome and unraveling of its pathophysiology: The possible crucial role of LVOTO.

There is ample literature associating LVOTO with hypertension, AMI, LV hypertrophy, sigmoid septum, HCM, and TTS, particularly in midde aged/elderly/postmenopausal women, suggestive of a causal role for LVOTO in the pathophysiology of TTS. Although there is significant evidence that TTS is triggered by a sudden autonomic sympathetic nervous system surge and/or elevated blood-ridden catecholamines, the exact pathophysiologic trajectory leading to the clinical expression of the disease is still being debated. This review expounds on the possibility that LVOTO is a causal early component of this trajectory, and proposes that TTS is a malady within the broad spectrum of the myocardial ischemic injury/stunned myocardium states. The postulated underlying mechanism by which LVOTO causes TTS is a sudden abterload rise, with resultant oxygen/energy supply/demand mismatch, leading to a transient myocardial ischemia/injury myocardial stunning state. This needs to be explored painstakingly, and this review includes some suggestions for such undertaking. Ellucidation of the pathophysiology of TTS, and possible proof about a mechanistic role of LVOTO, may ensure that our current pharmacological and device panoply is adequate for the management of TTS.

A woman with schizophrenia who died due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy occurring after electroconvulsive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, it has some side effects, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is considered one of the minor complications. Several cases of patients developing Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during a course of ECT have been reported, but none have died. We present a case of post-ECT Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that became fatal. CASE PRESENTATION: We experienced a case of a 67-year-old woman who had delusions and catatonic symptoms due to schizophrenia but was resistant to several medications. Her symptoms improved by conducting ECT, but she had difficulty maintaining her improvement, which caused her to receive multiple courses of ECT. 3 weeks after her 6th course of ECT, the patient was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and had a fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Our patient had numerous cases of aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition before ECT was performed, which might have made this case fatal. In conclusion, appropriate supplementation of nutrition and reduction of physical stressors are important to avoid death from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by ECT. Prescribing clozapine was a solution in the present case, but there are some difficulties, such as the restriction against prescribing this drug in Japan.

Longitudinal Strain Patterns in Stress (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy: Evidence of Global Myocardial Injury and Incomplete Recovery.

Stress cardiomyopathy develops after abrupt sympathetic stimulation, likely from catecholamine-induced myocardial toxicity. The evolution of myocardial strain during and after an episode have not been previously characterized. We aimed to determine whether preexisting contractile abnormalities may explain the observed regional dysfunction during an acute episode and to investigate the persistence of strain abnormalities after clinical recovery. We identified patients who were diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy and had an echocardiogram performed before their episode, during their episode, and within 1 year after. The diagnosis was confirmed based on the absence of obstructive coronary lesions. Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain was calculated using speckle-tracking software and compared between baseline, episode, and follow-up echocardiograms. The LV strain analysis was performed on 23 patients. The LV ejection fraction was 64 ± 8.7% at baseline, 45 ± 12% during the episode, and 5 9 ± 10% after a median follow-up of 46 days. The LV global longitudinal strain was 24 ± 4.7% at baseline, 11 ± 4.9% during the episode, and 19 ± 4.6% after the follow-up. The mean ejection fraction (p <0.01) and global longitudinal strain (p <0.001) remained below baseline levels at follow-up. Longitudinal strain was reduced (<18%) in 80 ± 23% of myocardial segments during an episode and 41 ± 21% of myocardial segments at follow-up. During the acute episode, 35 ± 6% of the abnormal segments were in the base, outside of the region of ballooning. Our findings suggests that stress cardiomyopathy is associated with global rather than regional myocardial injury and that contractile abnormalities persist after clinical improvement. These findings challenge our previous understanding of stress cardiomyopathy and may guide future pathophysiologic understanding of this complex disease.

Current Pharmacology and Modulation of the Purinergic System in Takotsubo Syndrome Triggered by Cytokine Storm.

Studies show that with the COVID-19 pandemic, the world's population went through multiple stress and anxiety factors, generating serious psychological problems, in addition, the virus also caused damage and physical stress to those contaminated. In this way, the intense emotional experiences and stressful effects on the body caused by SARS-CoV-2 are capable of triggering the excessive release of catecholamines in the body. Thus, the framework of Takotsubo Syndrome is characterized by myocardial dysfunction as a response of cardiac receptors to the spillage of such hormones in an unregulated way in the human body. The purinergic system plays a central role in this process, as it actively participates in actions responsible for the syndromic cascade, such as the stress generated by the cytokine storm triggered by the virus and the stimulation of deregulated catecholamine release. Therefore, further pharmacological studies on the role of purines in this pathology should be developed in order to avoid the evolution of the syndrome and to modulate its P1 and P2 receptors aiming at developing means of reversing or treating the Takotsubo Syndrome.

Differences in clinical presentation and outcomes in pregnancy-associated Takotsubo Syndrome- A scoping review of the literature: Outcomes in pregnancy-associated Takotsubo.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) during pregnancy and postpartum is rare but may lead to significant maternal and fetal morbidity. We compared clinical characteristics and prognosis according to [a] timing of presentation (pregnancy vs post-partum) and [b] modes of delivery (cesarean section vs vaginal delivery). METHODS: Systematic review of articles published in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Medline databases from inception to July 30, 2023. Patient demographics, obstetric, electrocardiographic, laboratory, echocardiographic characteristics, and prognosis were summarized descriptively. RESULTS: An initial database search identified 2162 articles, of which 81 studies were included in this review. TS during pregnancy can have emotional, obstetric, and metabolic triggers and has a higher proportion of adverse fetal outcomes when compared with women who developed TS postpartum. Women with TS after cesarean section had an earlier onset and higher proportion of anesthesia use when compared with those who developed TS after vaginal delivery. There were no differences regarding the degree of systolic dysfunction or the need for advanced therapies, including ventilator support, intra-aortic balloon pump, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation among groups. CONCLUSIONS: TS is associated with various triggers and adverse fetal outcomes when it develops during pregnancy than in the postpartum period. TS occurs more rapidly and with a more aggressive course after cesarean section than after vaginal delivery.

Case report: Takotsubo syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), which is frequently secondary to severe emotional (fear, anxiety, etc.) or physical stress, is an acute reversible heart failure syndrome characterized by temporary left ventricular regional systolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, TTS after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is rare, and its clinical characteristics are easily confused with complications after PCI. CASE PRESENTATION: This article reports a case of TTS induced by psychological and physical pressure after successful PCI in our institution. The patient had symptoms comparable to complications after PCI, including V1-V5 ST segment elevation and T wave changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) and troponin elevation. Coronary angiogram, left ventricle opacification (LVO), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were performed to exclude postoperative complications. Diagnosis of TTS was eventually achieved. CONCLUSION: We cannot dismiss the risk of TTS in patients who have unexplained V1-V5 ST segment elevation and T wave changes of ECG and troponin elevation following successful PCI. Meanwhile, medical personnel should provide mental, cultural, and emotional services to patients in addition to essential diagnostic and treatment technical services during the perioperative period.

A Case of Stress Cardiomyopathy With Nab-Paclitaxel Infusion.

Stress cardiomyopathy is a transient left ventricular dysfunction caused by physiologic or pathologic stressors. Anaphylaxis is a hypersensitivity disorder that can lead to a rapid life-threatening respiratory collapse. It happens due to exposure to allergens including medications. During anaphylaxis, there is a compensatory release of catecholamines that can lead to stress cardiomyopathy. In this case, nab-paclitaxel infusion led to anaphylaxis with respiratory failure. Echocardiogram showed features of diffuse hypokinesis with preserved basal segment contractility, and cardiac catheterization did not show any evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The overall clinical picture suggested stress cardiomyopathy. The patient was treated with guideline-directed medical therapy which resulted in normalization of the ejection fraction with no symptoms of congestive heart failure at any point. The patient was thereafter resumed on a reduced dose of nab-paclitaxel. This case report adds to the spectrum of infusion-related reactions associated with paclitaxel and demonstrates the course of events in the management of anaphylaxis and stress cardiomyopathy in this scenario.