Takotsubo Syndrome: A Brief Review in Light of New Evidence

Authors

  • Hector Anninos Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
  • Antonis S Manolis Third Department of Cardiology, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

Keywords:

Takotsubo syndrome, cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, catecholamines, echocardiography

Abstract

“Takotsubo Syndrome” (TTS) is now recognized as a distinct entity within the spectrum of stress-induced cardiomyopathies. It is believed that enhanced sympathetic stimulation induces transient myocardial stunning through a variety of mechanisms that include epicardial spasm, ischemia due to microvascular dysfunction, and direct cardiomyocyte toxicity from catecholamine-mediated calcium overload. Once associated with emotional or significant physical stress, it is now clear that even minor stressors can trigger the syndrome and that roughly 30% of patients with TTS have no identifiable trigger at all. Traditionally regarded benign, TTS is now recognized as a potentially fatal condition with serious complications and considerable short-term mortality, similar to that of acute coronary syndromes. The major features of the TTS regarding clinical characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment options are herein briefly reviewed. Rhythmos 2016;11(4):90-95.

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Published

2016-11-01

Issue

Section

Review