An Emerging Cardiovascular Disease: Takotsubo Syndrome

Values of new ultrasonic imaging methods for the diagnosis of apical Takotsubo syndrome

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a multifactorial disease contributed to by several pathological factors. It is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, and patients with TTS can spontaneously recover within days or weeks. This study's objective was to investigate the ultrasonic characteristics of TTS during different periods and assess the clinical application value of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) and speckle tracking imaging (STI) in TTS.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, the patients with apical TTS were evaluated by echocardiography on admission (within 1-3 days) and after 4 and 8 weeks. RT-3DE was performed to observe the structure and function of the left ventricle (LV). LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV), stroke volume (LVSV), and ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. The longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) of all LV myocardial segments was acquired by 2D STI. For comparison, 20 healthy individuals were included as normal controls.

Results

A total of 16 patients with TTS were included. Their LV was characterized as an "octopus pot" in morphology with obvious hypokinesis on admission. The LVEDV, LVESV, LVSV, and LVEF were 84.23±10.67, 55.94±8.51, 28.31±8.06 mL, and 33.59%±4.12%, respectively, in patients with TTS on admission with a significant difference from those of the controls (P=0.005, P<0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). A definite improvement was found upon follow-up, with these parameters even returning to normal morphology after 8 weeks. The LVEDV, LVESV, LVSV, and LVEF were 75.79±6.86, 28.05±4.33, 47.81±3.57 mL, and 63.02%±3.92%, respectively, in TTS patients after 8 weeks with no significant difference from those of the controls (P=0.907, P=0.235, P=0.162, and P=0.052, respectively). A significant decrease in LPSS was also found in patients with TTS on admission. In the eighth week of follow-up, the LPSS of the apical and middle segments in TTS patients remained significantly decreased compared with that of the normal controls (-18.54%±4.69% vs. -24.29%±3.46%, P<0.001; -19.38%±2.88% vs. -22.36%±3.23%, P<0.001), but that of the basal segments in TTS patients returned to normal and there was no significant differences from the normal controls (-20.75%±2.91% vs. -21.51%±2.85%; P=0.055).

Conclusions

RT-3DE and STI played an indispensable role in visually and quantitatively inspecting the abnormalities of patients with TTS, including in diagnosis and follow-up.

Spectrum of radionuclide perfusion study abnormalities in takotsubo cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterized by transient apical left ventricular dysfunction precipitated by emotional or physical stress. Its presentation makes it difficult to differentiate from an acute coronary syndrome. A suggestive echocardiogram plus normal coronary angiography most often are used for diagnosis. Radionuclide perfusion study (RPS) findings in TCM, including by positron emission tomography (PET), have been poorly characterized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Intermountain Healthcare electronic medical records were searched from 2009 to 2019 for patients with a discharge diagnosis of TCM, stress CM, or takotsubo syndrome. 16 TCM patients with an RPS, including by PET in 8, were identified: 13 (81%) were women; age averaged 72 years (50-89 years); 14 had an identified stressor. TCM diagnosis was definite in 11 and probable/possible in 5. RPS was abnormal in 11, with 9 showing an apical perfusion deficit, whereas angiography in 14 showed normal coronaries in 12 and non-obstructive disease in 2. Echo ejection fraction averaged 41% (29%-60%); an apical wall motion abnormality was present in 14 (88%). Troponin elevations were noted in 14/15. The presenting ECG was abnormal is 14, frequently showing ST-T-wave abnormalities. 13 patients were discharged on a beta-blocker. Follow-up echo (in 12) showed recovered ejection fraction in 9 and recovered apical wall motion in 11.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite having normal or non-obstructive epicardial coronary arteries on angiography, TCM patients frequently present with apical wall motion abnormalities and matching RPS perfusion defects. These findings suggest microvascular abnormalities, whose pathophysiology, temporal course, and clinical implications should be the subject of further investigation.

Smidt Heart Institute Takotsubo Registry - Study design and baseline characteristics

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute form of transient systolic heart failure that occurs predominantly among women and in association with emotional or physical stressors. The Smidt Heart Institute Takotsubo Registry aims to establish a database through an online patient-advocate registry for deep phenotyping of this syndrome.

Methods

The Takotsubo Registry is a retrospective and prospective observational registry of individuals with a prior history of TTS. Participants are sourced through physician referrals, medical records review, peer- and self-referrals using social media. Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and Mitra® microsamplers are used to collect questionnaire data and blood samples to facilitate completely remote study enrollment and participation for most participants.

Results

From January 2019 to May 2021, 125 participants (99% female, mean age: 61.5 ± 9.9 years) enrolled in the registry across 25 US states and 3 international countries, with reported first TTS event a median of 2 years prior to enrollment. Psychosocial characteristics determined by standardized questionnaires at baseline include relatively high anxiety trait (44%), moderate to severe depression severity (19%), moderate to high severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (58%) and a history of childhood trauma/abuse (50%).

Conclusions

The Smidt Heart Institute Takotsubo Registry will contribute to advancing the management of TTS by deep phenotyping to understand its pathophysiology, and identify treatment targets in a participant base for future clinical trials.

An Unfortunate Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy During Plasmapheresis for Myasthenia Crisis

A literature review shows scarce reports of myasthenic crises (MC) complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). This patient cohort (0.11%) has higher all-cause mortality and prolonged in-hospital course. We present a rare case of a 72-year-old man who developed cardiogenic shock post-plasmapheresis for myasthenia crisis. He became hemodynamically unstable and developed acute respiratory failure requiring intubation 30 minutes after completion of plasma exchange. Serum troponin peaked at 3.19 ng/mL while an emergent 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) showed new-onset diffuse ST-segment elevation. Hypokinesis of the entire apex, anterior septum, mid-and apical inferior septum, and mid-and apical inferior wall consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was seen on bedside echocardiogram. The patient received a continuous infusion of norepinephrine and vasopressin. The hospital course was complicated by multiorgan failure and eventual demise. This case highlights MC and the potential of plasma exchange therapy to induce TC.

The Broken Heart: The Role of Life Events in Takotsubo Syndrome

The onset of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is thought to be associated with some life events. This study focuses on clarifying life event characteristics and the role of triggers in the onset of TTS. Participants with TTS (n = 54) were compared to those with acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n = 52) and healthy individuals (n = 54). Using a modified version of the Interview for Recent Life Events, information about general life events perceived as stressful and triggers preceding the onset of a cardiac syndrome was collected. The assessment included the impact of these events as indicated by the participants and estimated by the interviewer; finally, the objective impact was considered. Although the number of events and the objective impact did not differ among the groups, patients with TTS reported a more negative perceived impact. Moreover, 61% of these patients objectively and subjectively reported a more stressful trigger before the onset of the disease (in the 24 h preceding the cardiac event) than those reported by patients with AMI. The dynamic between life events and individual responses could help differentiate TTS from other cardiovascular events, such as AMI. This study suggests that patients' perception of some life events (whether triggers or general life events) could represent a possible marker of TTS.

Structural Equation Modeling of a Global Stress Index in Healthy Soldiers

Accumulation of stress is a prognostic trigger for cardiovascular disease. Classical scores for cardiovascular risk estimation typically do not consider psychosocial stress. The aim of this study was to develop a global stress index (GSI) from healthy participants by combining individual measures of acute and chronic stress from childhood to adult life. One-hundred and ninety-two female and male soldiers completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS4), Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale Checklist (PDS), and the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory (DRRI-2). The underlying structure for the GSI was examined through structural equation modeling. The final hierarchical multilevel model revealed fair fit by taking modification indices into account. The highest order had a g-factor called the GSI. On a second level the latent variables stress, HADS and CTQ were directly loading on the GSI. A third level with the six CTQ subscales was implemented. On the lowest hierarchical level all manifest variables and the DRRI-2/PDS sum scores were located. The presented GSI serves as a valuable and individual stress profile for soldiers and could potentially complement classical cardiovascular risk factors.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: Early Predictor of Diagnosis and Prognosis in Coronary Artery Disease

Echocardiography represents a first level technique for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) which supports clinicians in the diagnostic and prognostic workup of these syndromes. However, visual estimation of wall motion abnormalities sometimes fails in detecting less clear or transient myocardial ischemia and in providing accurate differential diagnosis. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a widely available noninvasive tool that could easily and quickly provide additive information over basic echocardiography, since it is able to identify subtle myocardial damage and to localize ischemic territories in accordance to the coronary lesions, obtaining a clear visualization with a "polar map" useful for differential diagnosis and management. Therefore, it has increasingly been applied in acute and chronic coronary syndromes using rest and stress echocardiography, showing good results in terms of prediction of CAD, clinical outcome, left ventricular remodeling, presence, and quantification of new/residual ischemia. The aim of this review is to illustrate the current available evidence on STE usefulness for the assessment and follow-up of CAD, discussing the main findings on bidimensional and tridimensional strain parameters and their potential application in clinical practice.

Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture in Broken-Heart Syndrome: A Fatal Complication

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is usually a transient condition and is treated conservatively. It is rarely associated with ventricular free wall rupture, a fatal complication of the disease described in this report. Cardiothoracic surgery performed emergent ventricular wall repair; however, treatment was unsuccessful, and the patient expired.

A biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy complication: large thrombus formation to stroke in 150 min

A 67-year-old postmenopausal African American woman presented with biventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC)-evidenced by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showing apical akinesis of both left and right ventricles in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease on left heart catheterisation. On the 4th hospital day, she experienced acute left facial droop, dysarthria and dysphagia. CT of the head showed a wedge infarct of the right middle cerebral artery territory. Cardioembolism was presumed after intracranial and extracranial sources of thromboembolism were ruled out. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered with resolution of symptoms. She was later discharged without neurological deficits. Crucially, repeat TTE after tPA infusion revealed a left ventricular mass concerning for thrombus. TTE 150 min prior to stroke onset was devoid of a mass. This case uniquely illustrates the potential for rapid thrombus formation and embolism in patients with TTC. As such, it emphasises the high index of suspicion required for management of these patients.

Broken Heart Syndrome Secondary To Liver Abscess

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a well-known mimicker of acute coronary syndrome and is most often seen in postmenopausal women. Though it is most commonly observed after a stressful emotional episode, several infections have also been shown to precipitate this. Here, we describe a unique case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy that was precipitated by liver abscess induced sepsis.