title: The broken heart syndrome: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
abstract: First described in 1990, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy consists of a transient systolic dysfunction of localized segments of the left ventricle. Commonly occurring in postmenopausal women, Takotsubo is often associated with intense physical and/or emotional stress. It is traditionally identified by distinctive wall motion patterns on transthoracic echocardiogram and left ventriculography. Further understanding of the disease mechanisms and recognition of at-risk populations has potentially tremendous therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: mattpeters25@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Matthew N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Tulane University Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University of School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA; Department of Cardiology, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Affairs Hospital, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Anand M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Irimpen
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*