title: Evidence for an association between tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and bronchial asthma: retrospective analysis in a primary care hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the prevalence of bronchial asthma in patients with Tako-Tsubo Syndrome (TTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective case-series study was conducted in a primary care hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. Data of all patients with newly diagnosed TTS (2002 - 2012) were assessed electronically by the use of ICD-10. Asthma prevalence was compared to published epidemiologic data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and, during attack, release of endogenous catecholamines. Sympathomimetic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for asthma patients. Likewise, catecholamine mediated diffuse microvascular myocardial dysfunction seems to be of critical importance for the development of TTS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  20 cases of TTS were identified. 90% were female, showed a median age of 70±13y [25y - 90y], an apical and/or midventricular ballooning pattern with preserved basal function and a median initial LVEF of 34±9% [25% - 55%]. 65% of patients underwent coronary angiography to rule out significant coronary artery disease. Hypertension was present in 45% of patients, 35% were smokers, none was suffering from diabetes. Prevalence of asthma in patients with TTS was significantly higher compared to the normal population (25% vs. 7%, p=0.012). In 30% of the TTS patients an iatrogenic cause for development of TTS was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of asthma was significantly higher in patients with TTS compared to epidemiologic data from an age-matched population. Phenotypes of patients developing obstructive ventilatory disease and TTS might share common pathogenic mechanisms beyond the use of bronchodilatators. In addition, we identified other iatrogenic etiologies in patients with TTS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Waid City Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland ; Department of Internal Medicine, Citizen's Hospital Solothurn, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Leonardo Glutz
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: von Blotzheim
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Waid City Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonology, Waid City Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonology, Waid City Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland ; Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lars C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Huber
keywords: Bronchial asthma; Tako-Tsubo-Syndrome; sympathomimetic drugs