Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Background

A depicts the left ventricular dilation that occurs in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy compared to a normal heart in B.
- AKA transient apical ballooning syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy
- Bulging out of LV apex with preserved function of the base looks like an octopus pot or "tako tsubo" in Japanese
- Recent recognition of additional subtypes: reverse Takotsubo (basal ballooning), mid-ventricular type, localized type
- 85% of cases caused by stressful event before symptoms (death of loved one, fear, argument, asthma, surgery, stroke, etc.)[1]
- Proposed mechanisms include vasospasm, microvascular dysfunction, and abnormal myocyte response to catecholamine surge
- As high as 28% in ICU patients due to severe physical stress[2]
Clinical Features
- Mimics Acute coronary syndrome
- Chest pain
- Dyspnea
- Cardiogenic shock and sudden CHF
- Lethal arrhythmia (e.g. VTach/VF, PEA)
Differential Diagnosis
ST Elevation
- Cardiac
- ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Post-MI (ventricular aneurysm pattern)
- Previous MI with recurrent ischemia in same area
- Wellens' syndrome
- Coronary artery vasospasm (eg, Prinzmetal's angina)
- Coronary artery dissection
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Aortic dissection in to coronary
- Left ventricular aneurysm
- Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm
- Early repolarization
- Left bundle branch block
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)
- Myocardial tumor
- Myocardial trauma
- RV pacing (appears as Left bundle branch block)
- Brugada syndrome
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
- AVR ST elevation
- Other thoracic
- Metabolic
- Drugs of abuse (eg, cocaine, crack, meth)
- Hyperkalemia (only leads V1 and V2)
- Hypothermia ("Osborn J waves")
- Medications
- Tricyclic (TCA) toxicity
- Digoxin
Evaluation

LV apical ballooning during systole
- Troponin may elevated or normal, but not usually as high as with traditional STEMI
- ECG
- May mimic STEMI
- Frequently affects the anterior distribution and to a lesser extent inferior distribution
- Echocardiography
- Systolic Dysfunction (with ejection fraction dropping from normal to <25-35%)
- Reduced contractility not explained by single vessel disease
- Apical Ballooning on US

Apical Ballooning[3]
- Ventriculography
- Shows LV ballooning
- Angiogram
- No significant coronary blockage to explain LV dysfunction
Clinical Differences Between AMI and [4]
AMI | Takutsubo | |
ECG | Specific vascular distribution | Multiple regions of change |
Echo | Specific vascular distribution | Multiple regions of wall motion abnormalities |
Troponin | Significant elevation | Mild to no elevation |
NT proBNP | Mild elevation | Significant elevation |
RV | Uncommon in left heart AMI | ~1/3 have biventricular ballooning |
Hypotension | Cardiogenic shock | Multi-factorial: LVOT obstruction, peripheral vasodilation, LV and/or RV decreased inotropy |
PCI | Stenosis | No coronary obstruction |
Management
- Treat as STEMI until ruled out
- Anticoagulation may be required until wall motion abnormalities resolve
- Monitor QTc intervals and arrhythmias
- Stop all QT prolonging drugs
- Replete magnesium
- Management of differs from usual cardiogenic shock[5]
- IVF
- With LVOT obstruction, avoid volume depletion and vasodilator therapy (similar to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy management)
- Avoid use of catecholamine based inotropic meds
- Consider beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, which reduce recurrence
- Intra-aortic balloon pump or ECMO in refractory cases
Prognosis
- Ejection Fraction returns to normal (at least >50%) in nearly all cases
- Some patients experience recurrence
Disposition
- Admit for post catheterization care
See Also
External Links
References
- Sharkey, S., Lesser, J., & Maron, B. (2011). Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy. American Heart Association.
- Park JH, Kang SJ, Song JK, et al. Left ventricular apical ballooning due to severe physical stress in patients admitted to the medical ICU. Chest 2005;128:296-302.
- http://www.thepocusatlas.com/left-ventricle-1
- TakotsuboMasoud H. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Intensive Care Unit: Prevention, Diagnosis and Management. International Cardiovascular Forum Journal. 2016; 5:33-35.
- Masoud H. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Intensive Care Unit: Prevention, Diagnosis and Management. International Cardiovascular Forum Journal. 2016; 5:33-35.
This article is issued from
Wikem.
The text is licensed under Creative
Commons - Attribution - Sharealike.
Additional terms may apply for the media files.