Incidence of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy in urban agglomerations

[Acute coronary syndromes with ST elevation and angiographically normal culprit coronary arteries: Case report and update]

Acute coronary syndrome results in most cases of atherosclerotic plaque rupture. In a few cases, the physiopathological mechanism is different. This does not necessarily change the initial strategy but the subsequent treatments. We report three cases of clinical presentations of acute coronary syndrome whose pathophysiological mechanism is not or not mainly due to atherosclerotic lesions. Based on these cases and a review of the literature, two topics will be tackled: the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in the management of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathies and also acute coronary syndromes due to vasospastic angina.

Management of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in non-academic hospitals in France: The Observational French SyndromEs of TakoTsubo (OFSETT) study

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a rare condition characterized by a sudden temporary weakening of the heart. TTC can mimic acute myocardial infarction and is associated with a minimal release of myocardial biomarkers in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

AIMS

To provide an extensive description of patients admitted to hospital for TTC throughout France and to study the management and outcomes of these patients.

METHODS

In 14 non-academic hospitals, we collected clinical, electrocardiographic, biological, psychological and therapeutic data in patients with a diagnosis of TTC according to the Mayo Clinic criteria.

RESULTS

Of 117 patients, 91.5% were women, mean ± SD age was 71.4 ± 12.1 years and the prevalence of risk factors was high (hypertension: 57.9%, dyslipidaemia: 33.0%, diabetes: 11.5%, obesity: 11.5%). The most common initial symptoms were chest pain (80.5%) and dyspnoea (24.1%). A triggering psychological event was detected in 64.3% of patients. ST-segment elevation was found in 41.7% of patients and T-wave inversion in 71.6%. Anterior leads were most frequently associated with ST-segment elevation, whereas T-wave inversion was more commonly associated with lateral leads, and Q-waves with septal leads. The ratio of peak B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal prohormone BNP (NT-proBNP) level to peak troponin level was 1.01. No deaths occurred during the hospital phase. After 1 year of follow-up, 3 of 109 (2.8%) patients with available data died, including one cardiovascular death. Rehospitalizations occurred in 17.4% of patients: 2.8% due to acute heart failure and 14.7% due to non-cardiovascular causes. There was no recurrence of TTC.

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study of TTC included primarily women with atherosclerotic risk factors and mental stress. T-wave inversion was more common than ST-segment elevation. There were few adverse cardiovascular outcomes in these patients after 1-year follow-up.

A single pathophysiological pathway in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Catecholaminergic stress

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) continues to be under-diagnosed, due to its varying presentation, with potentially serious consequences if treatment is delayed.

AIMS

To demonstrate the consistent involvement of catecholaminergic stress in TTC, regardless of the trigger.

METHODS

Between 01 July 2009 and 31 August 2013, patients managed in our centre for thoracic pain syndrome, with or without troponin release, were followed up prospectively. TTC was diagnosed from the apical ballooning seen on left ventricular imaging (angiography or transthoracic echocardiography) in the absence of a significant coronary artery lesion. Triggers (emotional trauma, surgical stress and β2-mimetic intoxication) were recorded; catecholamine-secreting tumours were screened for with a urinary methoxylate-derivative assay.

RESULTS

TTC was diagnosed in 40 out of 2754 (1.5%) patients with thoracic pain syndrome, with or without troponin release. Triggers were emotional trauma (n=29, 72.5%), surgical stress (n=5, 12.5%), adrenergic intoxication (n=3, 7.5%) and catecholaminergic tumour (n=3, 7.5%). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction at admission was 38.0 ± 15.7%. Eight (20%) patients initially showed cardiogenic shock. In-hospital mortality was 7.5%, with no deaths from cardiogenic causes. Thirty-five (94.6%) of the survivors had recovered a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (> 55%) by discharge.

CONCLUSION

Whatever the trigger, the common denominator in TTC is catecholaminergic stress. Classically suggested after emotional trauma, TTC may also be induced by surgical stress or endogenous or iatrogenic β2-mimetic intoxication. The various contexts all have a similarly excellent cardiovascular prognosis if treated early.