Johanna Diekmann

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND The natural history, management, and outcome of takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy are incompletely understood. METHODS The International Takotsubo Registry, a consortium of 26 centers in Europe and the United States, was established to investigate clinical features, prognostic predictors, and outcome of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Patients were compared with age- and sex-matched patients who had an acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS Of 1750 patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 89.8% were women (mean age, 66.8 years). Emotional triggers were not as common as physical triggers (27.7% vs. 36.0%), and 28.5% of patients had no evident trigger. Among patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as compared with an acute coronary syndrome, rates of neurologic or psychiatric disorders were higher (55.8% vs. 25.7%) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was markedly lower (40.7±11.2% vs. 51.5±12.3%) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Rates of severe in-hospital complications including shock and death were similar in the two groups (P=0.93). Physical triggers, acute neurologic or psychiatric diseases, high troponin levels, and a low ejection fraction on admission were independent predictors for in-hospital complications. During long-term follow-up, the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was 9.9% per patient-year, and the rate of death was 5.6% per patient-year. CONCLUSIONS Patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy had a higher prevalence of neurologic or psychiatric disorders than did those with an acute coronary syndrome. This condition represents an acute heart failure syndrome with substantial morbidity and mortality. (Funded by the Mach-Gaensslen Foundation and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01947621.).

Happy heart syndrome: role of positive emotional stress in takotsubo syndrome

Abstract Aims Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is typically provoked by negative stressors such as grief, anger, or fear leading to the popular term ‘broken heart syndrome’. However, the role of positive emotions triggering TTS remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of patients with TTS following pleasant events, which are distinct from the stressful or undesirable episodes commonly triggering TTS. Methods and results Takotsubo syndrome patients with preceding pleasant events were compared to those with negative emotional triggers from the International Takotsubo Registry. Of 1750 TTS patients, we identified a total of 485 with a definite emotional trigger. Of these, 4.1% (n = 20) presented with pleasant preceding events and 95.9% (n = 465) with unequivocal negative emotional events associated with TTS. Interestingly, clinical presentation of patients with ‘happy heart syndrome’ was similar to those with the ‘broken heart syndrome’ including symptoms such as chest pain [89.5% (17/19) vs. 90.2% (412/457), P = 1.0]. Similarly, electrocardiographic parameters, laboratory findings, and 1-year outcome did not differ. However, in a post hoc analysis, a disproportionate higher prevalence of midventricular involvement was noted in ‘happy hearts’ compared with ‘broken hearts’ (35.0 vs. 16.3%, P = 0.030). Conclusion Our data illustrate that TTS can be triggered by not only negative but also positive life events. While patient characteristics were similar between groups, the midventricular TTS type was more prevalent among the ‘happy hearts’ than among the ‘broken hearts’. Presumably, despite their distinct nature, happy and sad life events may share similar final common emotional pathways, which can ultimately trigger TTS.

Differences in the Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Typical and Atypical Takotsubo Syndrome: Data From the International Takotsubo Registry

IMPORTANCE Apical ballooning is broadly recognized as the classic form of takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Atypical subtypes of TTS also exist, which constitute about 20% of all cases. To date, clinical profile and course of atypical TTS types have rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE To characterize the clinical profile and outcomes of typical vs atypical types of TTS in a large patient cohort. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Records of 1750 patients from the International Takotsubo Registry, comprising 26 participating cardiovascular centers in 9 different countries, were reviewed and data on clinical profile and outcomes collected from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Clinical characteristics and in-hospital as well as long-term outcomes were assessed. RESULTS Of 1750 patients diagnosed with TTS between 1998 and 2014, a total of 1430 (81.7%) presented with apical TTS (defined as typical TTS) and 320 (18.3%) with midventricular, basal, or focal TTS (all defined as atypical TTS). Patients with atypical TTS were younger than those with typical TTS (mean [SD], 62.5 [13.3] vs 67.3 [12.9] years; P < .001). Brain natriuretic peptide levels on admission were lower (median factor increase of the upper limit of normal, 4.18 vs 6.59; P = .02) and left ventricular ejection fraction was higher (mean [SD], 43.4% [10.7%] vs 40.6% [12.0%]; P < .001) in patients with atypical than those with typical forms of TTS. ST-segment depression was more prevalent in patients with atypical TTS (31 of 286 [10.8%] vs 90 of 1292 [7.0%]; P = .03), while ST-segment elevation was found more frequently in patients with typical TTS (593 of 1292 [45.9%] vs 97 of 286 [33.9%]; P < .001). Patients with atypical TTS more often had neurologic disorders than those with typical TTS (81 of 274 [29.6%] vs 286 of 1251 [22.9%]; P = .02). While in-hospital mortality was comparable between patients with atypical and typical TTS (10 of 320 [3.1%] vs 62 of 1430 [4.3%]; P = .32), the atypical forms showed a favorable outcome at 1 year (P = .01). However, after adjustment for confounders, only left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45%, atrial fibrillation, and neurologic disease, but not the type of TTS, were independent predictors. After 1 year, patients with both types of TTS showed a similar prognosis at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Atypical TTS has different characteristics than typical TTS, including younger age of onset, more frequent ST-segment depression, higher prevalence of neurologic diseases, less pronounced reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction, and lower brain natriuretic peptide values on admission. Outcomes are comparable between patients with both types after adjustment for confounders, suggesting that both should be equally monitored.

ECG Criteria to Differentiate Between Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy and Myocardial Infarction

Background ECG criteria differentiating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) from mainly anterior myocardial infarction (MI) have been suggested; however, this was in small patient populations. Methods and Results Twelve‐lead admission ECGs of consecutive 200 TTC and 200 MI patients were compared in dichotomized groups based on the presence or absence of ST‐elevation MI (STEMI versus STE‐TTC and non‐ST elevation MI versus non ST‐elevation‐TTC). When comparing STEMI and STE‐TTC, ST‐elevation in –aVR was characteristic of STE‐TTC with a sensitivity/specificity of 43% and 95%, positive predictive value (PPV) 91%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) 62% (P<0.001); when ST‐elevation in –aVR is accompanied by ST‐elevation in inferior leads, sensitivity/specificity were 14% and 98% (PPV was 89% and NPV 52%) (P=0.001), and 12% and 100% when associated with ST‐elevation in anteroseptal leads (PPV 100%, NPV 52%) (P<0.001). On the other hand, STEMI was characterized by ST‐elevation in aVR (sensitivity/specificity of 31% and 95% P<0.001, PPV 85% and NPV 59%) and ST‐depression in V2‐V3‐V4 (sensitivity/specificity of 24% and 100% P<0.001, PPV 100% and NPV 76%). When comparing non‐ST elevation MI and non ST‐elevation‐TTC, T‐inversion in leads I‐aVL‐V5‐V6 had a sensitivity/specificity of 17% and 97% for non ST‐elevation‐TTC (PPV 83% and NPV 55%) (P<0.001), and ST‐elevation in –aVR with T‐inversion in any lead was also specific for non ST‐elevation‐TTC (sensitivity/specificity of 8% and 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 53%) (P=0.006). In non‐ST elevation MI patients, the presence of ST‐depression in V2‐V3 was specific (sensitivity/specificity of 11% and 99%, PPV 91% and NPV 51%) (P=0.01). Conclusions ECG on admission can differentiate between TTC and acute MI, with high specificity and positive predictive value. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01947621.

A novel clinical score (InterTAK Diagnostic Score) to differentiate takotsubo syndrome from acute coronary syndrome: results from the International Takotsubo Registry

Clinical presentation of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) mimics acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and does not allow differentiation. We aimed to develop a clinical score to estimate the probability of TTS and to distinguish TTS from ACS in the acute stage.

Gender disparities in acute coronary syndrome: a closing gap in the short-term outcome

Aims The aim of the present study was to analyze gender disparities in a large cohort of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients from the Zurich Acute Coronary Syndrome (Z-ACS) Registry. Methods Gender disparities in ACS were examined. The primary endpoint included in-hospital death rate, and the secondary endpoint major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) at 30-day follow-up. Furthermore, independent predictors for MACCEs and death were identified. Results In total, 2612 patients with ACS were identified. Out of these, 23% were women. The mean age was higher in women (68.6 ± 12.2; P < 0.001). Troponin-T on admission (1.33 ± 4.64 vs. 1.19 ± 3.04 &mgr;g/l; P = 0.002) and N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide on admission (3456.2 ± 7286.7 vs. 1665.6 ± 4800.6 ng/l; P < 0.001) were higher in women compared with men. Single-vessel disease was more common in women (44.9 vs. 39.7%; P = 0.023) and, conversely, multivessel disease was more prevalent in male patients as compared with their female counterparts (59.4 vs. 54.4%; P = 0.029). At discharge, men were more likely prescribed statins (89.4 vs. 85.2%; P = 0.004). Overall mortality and MACCEs were similar for both genders. In women, peak creatine kinase and peak C-reactive protein emerged as independent predictors for MACCEs and SBP on admission, and maximal C-reactive protein and use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIIb/IIIa) as strong independent predictors for in-hospital death. Conclusion The present results suggest a closing gap in short-term outcome and improvement in cardiac care between women and men. Nonetheless, differences in treatment strategies continue to exist, particularly pertaining to statin regimens at discharge, which might potentially have a powerful impact on long-term outcomes and gender disparities.

First case of atypical takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a bilateral lung-transplanted patient due to acute respiratory failure

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy which is characterised by a transient left ventricular wall motion abnormality was first described in 1990. The disease is still not well known, and as such it is suggested that an emotional trigger is mandatory in this disease. We present the case of a 51-year old female patient seven years after bilateral lung transplantation, who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and subsequently suffered from atypical takotsubo cardiomyopathy with transient severe reduction of ejection fraction and haemodynamic instability needing acute intensive care treatment. Acute respiratory failure has emerged as an important physical trigger factor in takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Little is known about the association of hypoxia and takotsubo cardiomyopathy which can elicit a life-threatening condition requiring acute intensive care. Therefore, experimental studies are needed to investigate the role of hypoxia in takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Safety and efficacy profile of bioresorbable-polylactide-polymer-biolimus-A9-eluting stents versus durable-polymer-everolimus- and zotarolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Comparative data on long‐term safety and efficacy of bioresorbable‐polymer‐BES versus durable‐polymer‐EES/ZES in ACS setting have hitherto been lacking. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of bioresorbable‐polymer‐biolimus‐A9‐eluting stents (BES) compared with thin‐strut‐durable‐polymer‐everolimus‐ and zotarolimus‐eluting stents (EES/ZES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI.