title: Autonomic Findings in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) often occurs after emotional or physical stress. Norepinephrine levels are unusually high in the acute phase, suggesting a hyperadrenergic mechanism. Comparatively little is known about parasympathetic function in patients with TC. We sought to characterize autonomic function at rest and in response to physical and emotional stimuli in 10 women with a confirmed history of TC and 10 age-matched healthy women. Sympathetic and parasympathetic activity was assessed at rest and during baroreflex stimulation (Valsalva maneuver and tilt testing), cognitive stimulation (Stroop test), and emotional stimulation (event recall, patients). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and measurement of brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation were also performed. TC women (tested an average of 37 months after the event) had excessive pressor responses to cognitive stress (Stroop test: p <0.001 vs baseline and p = 0.03 vs controls) and emotional arousal (recall of TC event: p = 0.03 vs baseline). Pressor responses to hemodynamic stimuli were also amplified (Valsalva overshoot: p <0.05) and prolonged (duration: p <0.01) in the TC women compared with controls. Plasma catecholamine levels did not differ between TC women and controls. Indexes of parasympathetic (vagal) modulation of heart rate induced by respiration and cardiovagal baroreflex gain were significantly decreased in the TC women versus controls. In conclusion, even long after the initial episode, women with previous episode of TC have excessive sympathetic responsiveness and reduced parasympathetic modulation of heart rate. Impaired baroreflex control may therefore play a role in TC.
authors.affiliation: Dysautonomia Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norcliffe-Kaufmann
authors.affiliation: Dysautonomia Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.affiliation: Dysautonomia Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Leon H. Charney Division of Cardioloy, Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Leon H. Charney Division of Cardioloy, Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tully
authors.affiliation: Leon H. Charney Division of Cardioloy, Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address: harmony.reynolds@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Harmony R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology