Takotsubo-like Left Ventricular Dysfunction Research Articles

Right coronary artery ectasia with coronary arteriovenous fistula mimicking Takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction in the electrocardiogram

A coronary arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal connection between a coronary artery and any of four chambers in the heart. We repot a unique case with a fistulae originating from right coronary artery and draining into the right atrium via coronary sinus although Takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction or acute myocardial infarction was initially thought to have occurred according to the electrocardiogram finding.

Coronary spasm and myocardial bridging: an elusive pathophysiological mechanism leading to apical ballooning syndrome?

Apical ballooning syndrome or Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy is an acute syndrome characterized by normal or near-normal coronary arteries, regional wall motion abnormalities that extend beyond a single coronary vascular bed and, often, a precipitating stressor. We observed a case of an elderly lady with Takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction in whom both left anterior descending artery and diagonal branch coronary artery reversible spasm and myocardial bridging were demonstrated at the time of acute cardiac catheterization. It is a common observation that a combination of multiple pathophysiological mechanisms may produce a clinically similar picture. We believe that reversible, yet extreme, spasticity elicited at the level of myocardial bridging and involving a territory beyond a single coronary branch may explain in this case a functional phenomenon, namely the Takotsubo-shaped dysfunction of the left ventricle, which is more commonly observed in women with totally normal coronary arteries after exaggerated sympathetic stimulation.

The causality quandary in a patient with stroke, Takotsubo syndrome and severe coronary artery disease

Takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction syndrome (TLVDS) and acute coronary syndrome have almost always the same clinical presentation and ECG findings. Both diseases may become a potential cardioembolic source to the cerebrovascular system. Stroke has been linked to TLVDS either as the trigger or as a complication. We report on a 67-year-old female patient who presented with an acute ischemic stroke confirmed by computed tomographic scan of the brain. She also had electrocardiographic features and laboratory findings suggestive of both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and TLVDS. Coronary angiography revealed severe coronary artery stenoses but the coronary lesions did not have any of the features suggestive of an acute pathology. Echocardiography and left ventriculography showed a striking apical ballooning of the left ventricle, which resolved completely within 1 week, a clinical picture and course typical for TLVDS. There were no signs of left ventricular thrombus. A few burning questions arose from this case: what was the acute cardiac disease - TLVDS or AMI? Which disease came first - the stroke or the acute cardiac illness? An intricate cause-effect relationship is discussed; and finally, does an obstructive coronary artery disease rule out TLVDS?

A case of reversed takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction occurred during lactation period

A case of reversed takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction occurred during lactation period

Inverted Takotsubo-Like Left Ventricular Dysfunction with Pulmonary Oedema Developed after Caesarean Delivery Complicated by Massive Haemorrhage in a Severe Preeclamptic Parturient with a Prolonged Painful Labour

Inverted takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), a variant of stress-induced cardiomyopathy, features transient myocardial dysfunction characterized by a hyperdynamic left ventricular apex and akinesia of the base. Herein, we describe a 38-year-old primigravida with severe preeclampsia who had active labour for 4 h followed by an emergency caesarean delivery. She developed postpartum haemorrhage due to uterine atony complicated by pulmonary oedema, which was managed with large-volume infusion and hysterectomy. Her haemodynamic instability was associated with cardiac biomarkers indicative of diffuse myocardial injury and echocardiographic findings of an “inverted” TTC. The patient was almost fully recovered one month later. Our case shows that a reversible inverted TTC may result from a prolonged painful labour. TTC should be listed in the differential diagnosis of the patient presenting with pulmonary oedema of unknown origin, especially in patients with severe preeclampsia.

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy: is there a preferred time of onset?

The occurrence of major cardiovascular events is not randomly distributed over time, but exhibits chronobiological patterns, i.e., circadian, weekly, or seasonal. No systematic studies on the temporal preference of onset of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) are known. We performed a computer-assisted search of the literature (from 2000 to January 2010), with the following search terms: transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction, ampulla cardiomyopathy, tako-tsubo or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, tako-tsubo, apical ballooning. Criteria for publication inclusion were (a) reporting of original data, (b) inclusion of at least 30 or more cases, (c) adherence to the requested diagnostic criteria for TTC. We focused on studies including in their purposes the "time of onset" of events. Out of the 19 studies found, 7 (4 from Europe, 1 each from Asia, Australia and USA) specifically addressed this aspect. A circadian (morning) and a seasonal (summer) higher frequency of events was found. TTC seems to exhibit a temporal variation of onset, with preferred peaks during morning and summer. Stress and catecholamines, also according to their temporal organization, might play a pivotal role. The demonstration of time frames characterized by highest frequency of occurrence might help to try to ensure maximal protection during particularly vulnerable periods.

カニクイザルを用いた，たこつぼ型心筋症モデル作製

たこつぼ型心筋症は，過度のストレスを受けることなどにより心尖部を中心に左室壁運動が低下する疾患だが，その発症機序は十分に解明されていない．我々は，雄性カニクイザルにエピネフリンの持続静脈内投与を2日（Day 1，Day 2）続けることで，Day 3には，「たこつぼ型」心筋症モデルの作製に成功した．慢性心不全に対して有効であるβ受容体遮断薬を単回投与（Day 3）することで，心筋症後の左室駆出率をより早く改善させ，心尖部に認めたエピネフリンによる心筋障害を軽減させた．Day 4の左心室心尖部では基部と比べて，エピネフリン投与で心不全関連遺伝子の増加，カルシウムシグナル関連遺伝子・ミトコンドリア機能関連遺伝子の減少傾向が見られ，β遮断薬による改善傾向を示す遺伝子を認めた．今回，サルのたこつぼ型心筋症モデルを確立した．このモデルは心不全に対するβ受容体遮断薬療法の薬理機序を明らかにする上で重要なツールとなると考えられる．

Effects of metoprolol on epinephrine-induced takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction in non-human primates

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, alternatively known as stress cardiomyopathy, is an increasingly recognized clinical syndrome characterized by acute reversible apical ventricular dysfunction. To elucidate the mechanism, we tried to make a new model of takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy in non-human primates. Echocardiography revealed that repeated intravenous infusion of epinephrine overdose in cynomolgus monkeys induced takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by progressive left ventricle and depressed systolic function with severe hypokinesis in apical regions and hyperkinesis in the basal region. Although this cardiac dysfunction almost normalized after a month even without any treatment, metoprolol, a beta-blocker, improved the decreased ejection fraction earlier than in the control. Luxol fast blue staining, which is useful for estimating myocytolysis, showed that increased myocytolysis was observed in the apical ventricle of the epinephrine-infused heart. Metoprolol diminished epinephrine-induced cardiomyocytolysis. To explain the mechanism of takotsubo myopathy and the effect of metoprolol, gene expressions in apical or basal ventricle were compared. Heart failure-related genes, such as brain natriuretic peptide, connective tissue growth factor and osteopontin; calcium signaling-related genes, such as ryanodine receptor 2, sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2A2 and adenylate cyclase 7; renin-angiotensin system-related genes, such as angiotensinogen, angiotensin II receptor, type 1 and type 2; and mitochondria-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1alpha, cytochrome c and transcription factor A mitochondrial, were significantly changed at the apical ventricle rather than at the basal ventricle. The changes of some genes improved with metoprolol treatment. These results indicate that this model is valuable in understanding the pathogenesis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy and the effectivity of beta-blockers.

Takotsubo-Like Left Ventricular Dysfunction in an HIV-Infected Patient

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (in Japanese language "takotsubo" is a fishing pot with a round bottom and a neck that is used for trapping octopuses) is a new syndrome, which is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction and by a typical left ventriculogram showing transient extensive akinesis of the apical and mid portions of the left ventricle with hypercontraction of the basal segment, from which this disease takes its name. Since 1990 sporadic cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy were reported by Japanese authors, and only a few European reports are available. We report a case of takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction in an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected caucasian patient.

Left Ventricular Rupture Associated With Takotsubo-like Left Ventricular Dysfunction (Apical Ballooning)

A 71-year-old woman was admitted with sudden-onset shoulder and back pain. The electrocardiograph showed sinus rhythm with ST-segment elevation in leads V4-6 and abnormal Q waves in leads V4-5. Echocardiography at the time of admission revealed akinesis in the left ventricular apical wall. However, coronary angiography did not reveal a stenotic lesion in any of the coronary arteries. Left ventriculography revealed apical ballooning with basal hyperkinesis. Ten hours after onset, the patient suddenly collapsed and went into cardiopulmonary arrest. This is a rare case of left ventricular rupture with takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction.

Transient decrease of coronary flow reserve in patient with Tako-tsubolike left ventricular dysfunction

Transient decrease of coronary flow reserve in patient with Tako-tsubolike left ventricular dysfunction

Reversible ventricular dysfunction takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Recently, many cardiologists have recognized the existence of a rapidly reversible form of heart failure of unknown origin characterized by a takotsubo-shaped, dyskinetic left ventricle on left ventriculography. To determine the detailed clinical features of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Thirteen elderly patients (11 women and 2 men with a mean age of 75.3 years) who had normal coronary arteries and takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction were prospectively enrolled in this study. Cardiac enzymes did not increase significantly, but the mean plasma norepinephrine level was very high on admission (0.98 microg/l). Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries in all patients, but left ventriculography showed apical akinesis combined with basal hyperkinesis, i.e., a takotsubo (Japanese octopus fishing pot)-shaped ventricle. Left ventricular wall motion normalized within a mean of 16.9 hospital days in 12 patients, but 1 patient died of acute renal failure on hospital day 7. Cardiac events did not recur during a follow-up period of 0.5 to 5 years. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy seems to be a new type of acute heart failure, which generally has a good prognosis and does not recur. Myocardial damage by catecholamine overload, adrenoceptor hypersensitivity, and changes of catecholamine dynamics due to stress may cause this condition.

Assessment of Coronary Microcirculation in Patients With Takotsubo-Like Left Ventricular Dysfunction

The precise mechanism of takotsubo-like left ventricular (LV) dysfunction remains unclear. Eight consecutive patients with takotsubo-like LV dysfunction were studied. In the acute phase and 3 weeks later, the coronary flow velocity spectrum and coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) were recorded by Doppler guidewire. The deceleration time of diastolic velocity (DDT; ms) was measured from the peak diastolic velocity to the point where the extrapolated line intersected the baseline. In all cases, CFVR of the 3 coronary arteries increased during follow-up (1.7+/-0.5 to 2.4+/-0.5 for the left anterior descending artery (p < 0.05), 1.7+/-0.5 to 2.7+/-0.8 for the left circumflex artery (p < 0.05) and 1.7+/-0.3 to 2.5+/-0.4 for the right coronary artery (p < 0.05)). In addition, the DDT of all coronary arteries increased during follow-up. Decreased CFVR and short DDT were demonstrated in patients with takotsubo-like transient LV dysfunction in the acute phase, and these findings improved 3 weeks later, which suggests that coronary microvascular dysfunction may be a causative mechanism.