Tako-tsubo Cardiomyopathy – Our Experience and Review of Current Knowledge

Overview

Background.
Tako-tsubo cardiomypathy is a relatively novel heart syndrome characterized by acute onset of reversible left ventricular apical ballooning, in the absence of significant epicardial artery stenosis that mimics acute coronary syndromes. The most common clinical presentations are chest pain and dyspnoea, frequently preceded by an episode of emotional or physiologic stress, ST-segment elevation or T wave changes in the precordial leads, minor cardiac biomarker release, and transient wall-motion abnormalities involving the left ventricular apex and mid-ventricle despite the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease. The syndrome more often affects postmenopausal women. The in-hospital course is uncomplicated; mortality rate seems to be low, as does the risk for recurrence. 

Methods and Results.
In this paper, we present case series of 6 consecutive patients admitted to our institution with acute onset of transient left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of epicardial coronary artery involvement. 

Conclusions.
Demographic characteristics, clinical features and course of disease were consistent with description of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. 

Key words:
tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, transient apical ballooning syndrome, left ventricular dysfunction, acute coronary syndrome.