Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterised by left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning and normal coronary arteries. It occurs after a high catecholamine stress, mostly in elderly females after loss of spouse.

LV shape is similar to the octopus pot, a traditional Japanese octopus trap. It is also known by various names as Broken heart syndrome, Stress cardiomyopathy and Apical ballooning syndrome. ECG changes and clinical presentation may mimic acute myocardial infarction. Severe left ventricular dysfunction may occur, but most of them eventually make a good recovery.

See also:

• Brutsaert’s hypothesis on preferential LV apical involvement in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
• “Inverted Takotsubo” cardiomyopathy
• Long term sequelae of takotsubo cardiomyopathy
• InterTAK Diagnostic Score and Prognostic Score for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy