Left and right ventricular systolic long-axis function and diastolic function in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
OBJECTIVE
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by apical wall motion abnormalities without coronary stenosis. Limited information is available on the genesis of the underlying reversible contractile disorder. Our objective in this prospective study was to investigate biventricular changes in systolic long-axis function and diastolic parameters in the acute phase and after recovery.


RESULTS
Thirteen consecutive patients were examined by echocardiography and coronary angiography at admission and again by echocardiography after 3 months. Amplitudes, systolic and diastolic velocities of the mitral and tricuspid annuli and conventional diastolic parameters were measured. Systolic long-axis shortening of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) improved from 9.6 ± 2.2 mm to 11.2 ± 1.9 mm (P = 0.02) and from 21.3 ± 3.6 mm to 24.1 ± 2.8 mm (P = 0·02), respectively. LV systolic, early and late diastolic velocities measured by pulsed-wave tissue Doppler also improved, while additional conventional diastolic parameters of the LV and RV diastolic function were unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy temporarily affects systolic LV and RV function, while most diastolic parameters remain unchanged.
Departments of Clinical Physiology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
K
K
Loiske
M
M
Waldenborg
O
O
Fröbert
P
P
Rask
K
K
Emilsson
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003971:Diastole; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013599:Systole; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right