takotsubo cardiomyopathy


A non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy most common in post-menopausal women, which is characterised by a sudden temporary weakening of the myocardium triggered by physical or emotional stress—e.g., death of a loved one—hence the alternate term, broken heart syndrome
Pathogenesis High serum catecholamines—adrenaline/ epinephrine
Diagnosis Negative coronary angiogram
Prognosis If the individual survives the initial event, the left ventricular function improves within 2 months

takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Reversible dysfunction of the left ventricle. It may be the cause of transient heart failure that occurs after exceptionally stressful events. The heart in such instances takes on a rounded shape with a narrow neck, resembling a traditional Japanese lobster trap (takotsubo). It is informally called broken-heart syndrome. Synonym: apical ballooning syndrome; stress-induced cardiomyopathy; transient left ventricular apical ballooningSee also: cardiomyopathy