Abstract 4838: Diffuse, Marked, Reversible Impairment in Coronary Microcirculation in Stress Cardiomyopathy: A Vasodilator Stress Echo Study

Abstract

Stress cardiomyopathy, also referred to as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) has been linked to excessive sympathetic stimulation, which can be toxic for myocytes and coronary microcirculation. Aim: To assess coronary flow reserve (CFR) in TC. Methods: 30 consecutive patients (5 males; 68±12 years) meeting diagnostic criteria for TC were evaluated with transthoracic dipyridamole (0.84 mg/kg over 6′) stress echo and Pulsed Doppler CFR assessment on mid-distal left anterior descending (LAD) and posterior descending of right coronary artery (PD). Wall Motion Score Index (WMSI) was evaluated at baseline and during stress. All patients were followed-up clinically and - on day 1, day 7 (±2 days) and at 6 months - by repeat stress echo. Twenty-one age and gender matched controls were also studied. Results: CFR was obtained in all patients on LAD and in 25 on PD. All pts showed a transient apical ballooning in the acute phase (day 1 of admission), with progression recovery of function at follow-up (WMSI, day 1=1.7±.2; day 7=1.4±.14; 6-months=1.0±0.1; p<0.001 vs day 1 and vs. day 7). When compared to controls, CFR was reduced on day 1 (upon admission) and it showed early recovery in the subacute (pre-discharge) assessment on day 7. CFR values remained stable at 6-months follow-up (see figure ). Conclusion: TC is characterized by a profound, diffuse, coronary microcirculatory disturbance in the acute phase, with early reversal to near-normal values within a few days, paralleling the functional recovery in regional wall motion. The reversible coronary microcirculatory abnormality can be observed also in the territory of right coronary artery.