Acute Coronary Syndrome Admissions Research Articles

Acute Coronary Syndrome Admissions and Mortality Rate During COVID-19 Pandemic in Gaza

Background: What is the nature and duration of changes to admissions for different types of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), among patients during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Gaza? Methods: The investigators analyzed data on hospital admissions in Gaza for types of ACS from August 25-2020, to October 1, 2020, that were recorded in the Alshifa Hospital Cardiology Department Service Admitted Patient Care database. Admissions were classified as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEACS and we calculate the diagnostic and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) rate. Results: Hospital admissions for ACS declined from rate of 99 admissions to 40 admission in 2020in this time, a reduction of 60%. During the period of declining admissions, there were reductions in the number of admissions for all types of ACS, including both STEMI and NON-STEACS, but relative and absolute reductions were larger for NSTEMI, (from 73 patients in 2019 to 26 patients in 2020) with a percent reduction of 64% In parallel, reductions were recorded in the STEMI ( from 26 patients in 2019 to 14 patients in 2020) percent reduction 46 %, the mortality rate for STEMI patient was 4% in 2019 and 21% in 2020, for non-STEMI patient was 0% in 2019 and 4% in 2020. The diagnostic coronary angiography decrease from 130 to 31 cases (76%) and PCI decrease from 35 to 18 cases (49%) during this period Conclusions: We found that significant reduction in the number of patients with ACS who were admitted to the hospital during the pandemic, but increase in mortality rate by 17% in STEMI and 4% in NON-STEACS in Gaza strip

COVID-19 pandemic and admission rates for and management of acute coronary syndromes in England

BackgroundSeveral countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have reported a substantial drop in the number of patients attending the emergency department with acute coronary syndromes and a reduced number of cardiac procedures. We aimed to understand the scale, nature, and duration of changes to admissions for different types of acute coronary syndrome in England and to evaluate whether in-hospital management of patients has been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe analysed data on hospital admissions in England for types of acute coronary syndrome from Jan 1, 2019, to May 24, 2020, that were recorded in the Secondary Uses Service Admitted Patient Care database. Admissions were classified as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI), myocardial infarction of unknown type, or other acute coronary syndromes (including unstable angina). We identified revascularisation procedures undertaken during these admissions (ie, coronary angiography without percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], PCI, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery). We calculated the numbers of weekly admissions and procedures undertaken; percentage reductions in weekly admissions and across subgroups were also calculated, with 95% CIs.FindingsHospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome declined from mid-February, 2020, falling from a 2019 baseline rate of 3017 admissions per week to 1813 per week by the end of March, 2020, a reduction of 40% (95% CI 37–43). This decline was partly reversed during April and May, 2020, such that by the last week of May, 2020, there were 2522 admissions, representing a 16% (95% CI 13–20) reduction from baseline. During the period of declining admissions, there were reductions in the numbers of admissions for all types of acute coronary syndrome, including both STEMI and NSTEMI, but relative and absolute reductions were larger for NSTEMI, with 1267 admissions per week in 2019 and 733 per week by the end of March, 2020, a percent reduction of 42% (95% CI 38–46). In parallel, reductions were recorded in the number of PCI procedures for patients with both STEMI (438 PCI procedures per week in 2019 vs 346 by the end of March, 2020; percent reduction 21%, 95% CI 12–29) and NSTEMI (383 PCI procedures per week in 2019 vs 240 by the end of March, 2020; percent reduction 37%, 29–45). The median length of stay among patients with acute coronary syndrome fell from 4 days (IQR 2–9) in 2019 to 3 days (1–5) by the end of March, 2020.InterpretationCompared with the weekly average in 2019, there was a substantial reduction in the weekly numbers of patients with acute coronary syndrome who were admitted to hospital in England by the end of March, 2020, which had been partly reversed by the end of May, 2020. The reduced number of admissions during this period is likely to have resulted in increases in out-of-hospital deaths and long-term complications of myocardial infarction and missed opportunities to offer secondary prevention treatment for patients with coronary heart disease. The full extent of the effect of COVID-19 on the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome will continue to be assessed by updating these analyses.FundingUK Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Public Health England, Health Data Research UK, and the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.

Containing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spread in an Oncology Day Care Facility in India

Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in late December 2019 at Hubei province of China and had spread globally in mammoth proportions.[1] This pandemic is one of the greatest challenge medical fields that has ever faced. The disease by itself and measures taken to contain it has resulted in hampering health-care services to nonpandemic diseases. Reports of reduced hospital admissions for acute coronary syndromes and increased out of the hospital cardiac arrests reflect a compromised health system.[2],[3] Sustaining non COVID-19 facility in current pandemic has become a big challenge. The risk of transmission of infection among health-care personnels (HCPs) from HCPs to patients and requirement of quarantine of potentially exposed HCPs pose further burden on already constrained system. Continuing oncology services in the current pandemic have become even more difficult considering higher mortality rates of COVID-19 in cancer patients.[4],[5] Most guidelines have been revised and suggested tailored strategies in situ ations where the risk of infection outweighs the benefit of treatment.[6]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on admissions for acute coronary syndrome: review of the literature and single-center experience

During the early phase of the lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic, an alarm on the impact on cardiology admissions for cardiac causes, particularly in the field of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), has emerged. In order to evaluate this trend, we analyzed the literature data published since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to date, in addition to our intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) experience. This analysis showed (i) a reduction of the overall ICCU admissions up to 50%; (ii) a 40-50% reduction of ACS admissions, greater for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) than for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); (iii) a reduction greater than 50% of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary angioplasty; (iv) a higher time delay of STEMI; and (v) a higher number of ICCU admissions for non-primarily cardiac problems. In conclusion, the lockdown imposed due to the spread of COVID-19 infection has led to a change in the number and type of cardiology admissions. It seems therefore necessary that patients, especially for time-dependent diseases such as ACS, continue to refer to hospital care; that contemporary standard of care for acute cardiac disease should be guaranteed, and that intensivist cardiologists acquire specific skills for the treatment of patients with clinical conditions normally treated by other specialists.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak on acute coronary syndrome admissions: four weeks to reverse the trend.

Data whether the COVID-19 outbreak impacts the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) admissions and the time required to reverse the downward curve are scarce. We included all consecutive patients referred for an ACS who underwent PCI from February 17, 2020 to April 26, 2020 in a high-volume PCI coronary care unit. We compared the number of ACS patients in 2020 to the same period in 2018 and 2019. Predictors of adverse outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients were recorded: symptom-onset-to-first medical contact (FMC), and FMC-to-sheath insertion times. During the studied period (calendar weeks 8–17, 2018–2020), 144 ACS patients were included. In 2020, we observed two distinct phases in the ACS admissions: a first significant fall, with a relative reduction of 73%, from the week of lockdown (week 12) to 3 weeks later and then an increase of ACS. Median symptom-onset-to-FMC time was significantly higher in 2020 than in the two previous years (600 min [298–632] versus 121 min [55–291], p < 0.001). Median FMC-to-sheath insertion did not differ significantly (93 min [81–131] in 2020 versus 90 min [67–137] in 2018–2019, p = 0.57). The main findings are (1) a pattern of a U-curve in ACS admissions, with a first decrease in ACS admissions and a return to “normality” 4 weeks after; (2) a significant increase in the total ischemic time exclusively due to an increase in the symptom-onset-to-first-medical-contact time.

Reduced hospital admissions for ACS - more collateral damage from COVID-19.

A decline in the number of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome was observed across Italy and USA during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Better adherence with out-of-hospital healthcare improved long-term prognosis of acute coronary syndromes: Evidence from an Italian real-world investigation

BackgroundPatients who experience a hospital admission for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) exhibit poor prognosis over the years. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the real-world patterns of out-of-hospital practice in the management of ACS patients and to assess their impact on the risk of selected outcomes. MethodsThe cohort of 87,530 residents in the Lombardy Region (Italy) who were newly hospitalised for ACS during 2011–2015 was followed until 2018. Exposure to medical treatment including use of selected drugs, diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests was recorded. The main outcome of interest was re-hospitalisation for cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate hazard ratio, and 95% confidence intervals (CI), for the exposure-outcome association. Analyses were stratified according to the ACS type. ResultsThe cumulative incidence of re-hospitalisation for CV disease was 33%, 42% and 38% at 5 years after index discharge among STEMI, NSTEMI and unstable angina patients. Within one year from index discharge, between 70% and 80% of patients had at least a prescription of statins, beta-blockers and renin–angiotensin-system blocking agents, underwent ECG and lipid profile examination, and had a cardiologic examination. One patient in five underwent cardiac rehabilitation. Compared with patients who did not adhere to healthcare recommendations, the risk of CV hospital readmission was reduced from 10% (95% CI: 4%–10%) to 23% (12%–32%) among patients who underwent lipid profile examinations and who experienced cardiac rehabilitation. ConclusionClose out-of-hospital healthcare must be considered the cornerstone for improving the long-term prognosis of ACS patients.

Cardiovascular Health in the COVID-19 Era: A Call for Action and Education

Cardiovascular Health in the COVID-19 Era: A Call for Action and Education

Stabilization patterns and variability of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2 during 1 year after acute coronary syndrome admission: results of the BIOMArCS study.

Objectives Details of the biological variability of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and ST2 are currently lacking in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but are crucial knowledge when aiming to use these biomarkers for personalized risk prediction. In the current study, we report post-ACS kinetics and the variability of the hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2. Methods BIOMArCS is a prospective, observational study with high frequency blood sampling during 1 year post-ACS. Using 1507 blood samples from 191 patients that remained free from adverse cardiac events, we investigated post-ACS kinetics of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2. Biological variability was studied using the samples collected between 6 and 12 months after the index ACS, when patients were considered to have stable coronary artery disease. Results On average, hs-CRP rose peaked at day 2 and rose well above the reference value. ST2 peaked immediately after the ACS but never rose above the reference value. NT-proBNP level rose on average during the first 2 days post-ACS and slowly declined afterwards. The within-subject variation and relative change value (RCV) of ST2 were relatively small (13.8%, RCV 39.7%), while hs-CRP (41.9%, lognormal RCV 206.1/-67.3%) and NT-proBNP (39.0%, lognormal RCV 185.2/-64.9%) showed a considerable variation. Conclusions Variability of hs-CRP and NT-proBNP within asymptomatic and clinically stable post-ACS patients is considerable. In contrast, within-patient variability of ST2 is low. Given the low within-subject variation, ST2 might be the most useful biomarker for personalizing risk prediction in stable post-ACS patients.

Decline of acute coronary syndrome admissions in Austria since the outbreak of COVID-19: the pandemic response causes cardiac collateral damage.

Decline of acute coronary syndrome admissions in Austria since the outbreak of COVID-19: the pandemic response causes cardiac collateral damage.

Our first encounter with a COVID-19 patient in cardiology ward: Lessons learned

COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic caused by a betacoronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. Within few months after the first index case is identified in Wuhan city of China, it attained a global pandemic status due to its unique epidemiology and pathophysiology. It typically presents with signs and symptoms of viral pneumonia. Patients with cardiac disease are at increased risk of COVID disease and create a diagnostic dilemma in differentiating from respiratory illnesses for the cardiologists. Furthermore, ST-segment changes in electrocardiogram and troponin elevation which form a key diagnostic point in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes are frequently seen in COVID-19 patients. This is a matter of utmost concern as the diagnostic dilemma caused may lead to many patients who may not have epicardial coronary artery disease that may be taken up for invasive angiography. Moreover, the prejudice caused by the COVID-19 is leading to fewer admissions for acute coronary syndromes and fewer primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty leading to inappropriate management of deserving patients with genuine acute coronary syndromes. These patients form a very important chunk of population as on the one hand, they are more likely to spread the infection if they are improperly triaged, and on the other hand, they are less likely to receive proper guideline-directed treatment of cardiovascular syndromes increasing the mortality from primary cardiac pathology. The following case highlights the above-mentioned issues faced in triaging and treating a patient who presented a diagnostic dilemma. Our patient a 53-year-old lady who is a known case of chronic coronary syndrome with effort-induced angina on exertion for the last 4 months on medical management presented to the emergency department, after being rejected admission by three hospitals, with features of chest pain at rest 5 days prior to admission associated with dyspnea and nonproductive cough along with elevated troponin and ST elevation. She was initially diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome with acute heart failure and was taken up to the cardiology ward where a proper clinical examination suggesting right middle lobe localized crackles and chest X-ray findings prompted the suspicion of COVID-19, testing for which by a viral RNA-based test came as positive. This case illustrated the unique challenge posed by the COVID-19 for the cardiologist and the importance of clinical examination and a high index of suspicion needed along with prompt isolation of any suspected case. She was shifted to the COVID ward from where she was discharged after 5 weeks.

Effect of air pollution on the number of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome in elderly patients.

Air pollution is a documented risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of air pollution on the number of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in elderly patients. The medical records of 26 695 patients hospitalized for ACS between 2008 and 2017 were examined. Weather conditions and the following components of air pollution were analyzed: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and a diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10). The study included 1618 inhabitants of Białystok in Poland (mean [SD] age, 75 [6.4] years; men, 52.6%). The norm for PM2.5 was exceeded on 23.5% of days, while for PM10, on 5.3% of days. Elevated PM10 levels were associated with a higher number of hospitalizations for ACS on the day of exposure (mean [SD], 0.61 [0.78] vs 0.44 [0.69]; P <0.001), and this effect persisted in the subsequent days (mean [SD], 1.07 [1.07] vs 0.88 [1.00]; P = 0.02). An increase of PM10 concentrations by 10 μg/m3 was associated with an increase in the number of hospitalizations due to unstable angina, and significant effects were observed even after 6 days (rate ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.32; P = 0.02). Increased exposure to air pollution, in particular, elevated PM10 levels, is associated with a higher incidence of ACS both on the day of exposure and over the following days.

Using High Sensitivity Troponins to Rule Out Acute Coronary Syndrome and Lower Admission Rates.

Chest pain is a common complaint encountered by Emergency Medicine physicians in the emergency department (ED). History taking, electrocardiograms, and cardiac biomarkers are the mainstays of the evaluation process of patients who present to the ED with symptoms of an acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac troponin is the primary biomarker used for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. In January 2017, high sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTns) were approved for use in the United States. These markers have increased sensitivity and can more rapidly detect myocardial injury, making them very useful in the ED. However, despite improved sensitivity, elevations in hs-cTn can occur in a large number of patients who are not currently experiencing an acute myocardial infarction. As a result, it is important that clinicians understand the value of serial cardiac biomarker measurements and how to incorporate hs-cTn levels below the limit of detection into clinical decision-making. A large percentage of these low-risk patients end up having negative cardiac work-ups. This article will include a discussion on how to utilize common risk stratification tools in the ED to identify cohorts of patients suitable for discharge without additional testing. ED physicians must understand the limitations and benefits of hs-cTn levels and how to incorporate the information obtained from these biomarkers into risk scores in order to strengthen disposition decisions and safely discharge patients from the ED.

Improving Care Pathways for Acute Coronary Syndrome: Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions are common and costly. The association between comprehensive ACS care pathways, outcomes, and costs are lacking. From 434,172 low-risk, uncomplicated ACS patients eligible for early discharge (STEMI 35%, UA/NSTEMI 65%) from the Premier database, we identified ACS care pathways, by stratifying low-risk, uncomplicated STEMI and UA/NSTEMI patients by access site for PCI (trans-radial intervention [TRI] vs transfemoral intervention [TFI]) and by length of stay (LOS). Associations with costs and outcomes (death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and myocardial infarction at 1-year) were tested using hierarchical, mixed-effects regression, and projections of cost savings with change in care pathways were obtained using modeling. In low-risk uncomplicated STEMI patients, compared with TFI and LOS ≥3 days, a strategy of TRI with LOS <3 days and TFI with LOS <3 days were associated with cost savings of $6,206 and $4,802, respectively. Corresponding cost savings for UA/NSTEMI patients were $7,475 and $6,169, respectively. These care-pathways did not show an excess risk of adverse outcomes. We estimated that >$300 million could be saved if prevalence of the TRI with LOS <3 days and TFI with LOS <3 days strategies are modestly increased to 20% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrate the potential opportunity of cost savings by repositioning ACS care pathways in low-risk and uncomplicated ACS patients, toward transradial access and a shorter LOS without an increased risk of adverse outcomes.

2204Predicting the trajectory of depression following an acute coronary syndrome: the role of resilience

Abstract Background Depression is common in patients following an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) substantially increases the risk of future events and mortality. Post-ACS depression typically resembles one of four longitudinal trajectories: chronic; absent; recovered, or delayed depression. Early identification of a patient's post-ACS depression trajectory will improve risk stratification, treatment implementation and risk management. Purpose To explore whether stable psychosocial traits, such as resilience, predict the trajectory of depression one month and 6 months following an ACS admission. Method Consecutive adult ACS patients (STEMI/NSTEMI) admitted to a large general hospital completed the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) and the Sense of Coherence scale during their admission, then one and six months following discharge. Results 132 ACS in-patients (males = 111; mean age = 63.13±13.47) satisfied enrolment criteria. Unconditional linear latent growth modelling identified a 3-class model for the trajectory of depression post-ACS (increasing depression; consistent non-depressed; decreasing non-depressed). For the increasing depression class, resilience at baseline was significant and negative compared to the consistent class, b=−0.06, Wald chi square (1) = 4.42, p=0.036 and the decreasing class, b=−0.09, Wald chi square (1) = 7.20, p=0.007. Conclusions Patients who reported lower levels of resilience during an ACS admission were significantly more likely to experience initially high levels of depressive symptoms (CDS ≥85) that exceeded the clinically relevant cut-off (CDS ≥95) at 6 months post-discharge. This study suggests that screening for resilience and depression will improve risk stratification for persistent and delayed depression post-ACS.

Glucose-lowering therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndrome.

Diabetes is a common comorbidity in patients hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome event, and prevalence is increasing. Among patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, diabetes can be an independent predictor of mortality and new cardiovascular events; both short- and long-term outcomes are worse for patients with diabetes relative to those without, and undiagnosed diabetes is associated with greater mortality. The impact of glycemic control on cardiovascular outcomes and the best approach to treat hyperglycemia upon hospital admission for acute coronary syndrome in patients with or without known diabetes remain open questions. This review assesses available evidence for hyperglycemia management at the time of admission for acute coronary syndrome and, thereafter, finds that (1) admission plasma glucose plays a role in predicting adverse events, especially in patients with unknown diabetes; (2) glycated haemoglobin is a likely predictor of events in patients with unknown diabetes; and (3) hypoglycemia at the time of acute myocardial infarction hospital admission is an important predictor for mortality in patients with and without diabetes. Whether glucose-targeted insulin and glucose infusion have advantages over glucose-insulin-potassium infusion remains controversial. Evidence for the effect of novel glucose-lowering agents used at the time of an acute cardiovascular event is limited and requires more dedicated studies.

CARE PATHWAY FOR PATIENTS WITH ACS UNDERGOING PCI: OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING VALUE

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions are common and costly, amounting to $7 billion annually in the United States. The association between comprehensive ACS care strategies and outcomes are lacking. We identified 434,172 low-risk ACS patients (STEMI 35%, UA/NSTEMI 65%) enrolled in the Premier

Impact of Admission Blood Glucose Added on GRACE Risk Score for All-Cause In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Abnormal glucose metabolism is a predictor of worse outcome after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, this parameter is not included in risk prediction scores, including GRACE risk score. We sought to evaluate whether the inclusion of blood glucose at admission in a model with GRACE risk score improves risk stratification.&#x0D; Objectives: To assess whether inclusion of admission blood glucose in a model with GRACE risk score improves risk stratification of ACS patients admitted in a tertiary hospital of Bangladesh. Methods: This cross sectional comparative study was carried out in the department of cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka between May 2016 to April 2017. Data were collected from ACS patients admitted at CCU, DMCH who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. GRACE score was calculated for each patient. The predictive value of death by GRACE score was compared with the predictive value of combined GRACE score + admission blood sugar. Comparison between these results in two groups were done by unpaired t-test, analysis was conducted SPSS-22.0 for windows software. The significance of the results was determined in 95.0% confidence interval and a value of p &lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: A total of 249 cases of ACS patients were selected. Most of the patients belonged to 5th and 6th decades 25.3% vs 37.3% and the mean age was 55.7±11.7 years. Most of the patients were male. High GRACE risk score (≥155) and elevated admission blood sugar (≥11) was found significantly higher in-hospital death whereas only high GRACE risk score (≥155) and normal admission blood sugar (&lt;11) was found non significant regarding in-hospital death. Test of validity showed sensitivity of GRACE risk score regarding in-hospital death was 85.29%, specificity 57.7%, accuracy 61.4%, positive and negative predictive values were 24.2% and 96.1% respectively. The sensitivity of GRACE risk score + admission blood sugar regarding in-hospital death was 85.29%, specificity 62.33%, accuracy 65.46%, positive and negative predictive values were 26.36% and 96.4% respectively. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) were constructed using GRACE score and GRACE score + admission blood sugar of the patients with in-hospital death, which showed the sensitivity and specificity of GRACE score for predicting in-hospital death were found to be 79.4% and 58.1%, respectively. Whereas after adding admission blood sugar value to GRACE score both the sensitivity and specificity increased to 82.4% and 58.6% respectively in this new model. Logistic regression analysis of in-hospital mortality with independent risk factors showed GRACE score (≥155) + admission blood sugar (≥11.0 mmol/l) was more significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (P =0.001, OR = 6.675, 95% CI 2.366-13.610).&#x0D; Conclusion: In patients with the whole spectrum of acute coronary syndrome admission blood glucose can add prognostic information to the established risk factors with the GRACE risk score.&#x0D; Bangladesh Heart Journal 2018; 33(2) : 94-99

Association between apparent temperature and acute coronary syndrome admission in Rasht, Iran

ObjectiveOur objective was to assess the relations between apparent temperature and incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Rasht, Iran.MethodsWe used a time-series analysis to investigate the relationship between apparent...

Takotsubo Syndrome: Contemporary Views on the Pathogenesis, Prevalence and Prognosis

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a reversible left ventricular dysfunction characterized by local apical hypokinesia usually triggered by a physical or emotional stress. According to the last available data TTS may represent 2% of all admissions for acute coronary syndromes. Despite the reliable prevalence, diagnosis of TTS remains difficult. The initial presentation, both clinically and electrocardiographically, is similar to an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The biomarker profile is also similar, although the peaks of troponin and creatinine kinase levels are lower, and brain natriuretic peptide levels are higher in patients with TTS compared with ST-segment elevation AMI. Modified Mayo diagnostic criteria are the most common for the diagnosis. Pathogenesis of TTS currently is not well understood. Catecholamines appear to play a central role in the pathophysiology of TTS. However, it is conceivable that some people have a genetic predisposition to stress-induced TTS. A genetic predisposition has been suggested based on the few familial TTS cases described. Despite reversible myocardial dysfunction, acute heart failure is the most common complication in the acute phase of TTS. In-hospital mortality rate is comparable to that of ST-segment elevation AMI. There are no randomized clinical trials to support specific treatment recommendations in TTS. It is believed that the tactics of managing patients with TTS hospitalized with suspicion of acute coronary syndrome should comply with the protocol of management of patients with AMI while acute coronary pathology is not excluded.