title: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.
abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a reversible characteristic of left ventricular (LV) ballooning on cardiac imaging without significant coronary artery disease that is precipitated by stress. We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patient records to analyze outcomes of patients with TC. Of 100 patients with TC (90% women, mean age 67.7 y, SD = 15.96), 44 patients presented to the emergency room with chest pain, biomarker elevation, and electrocardiographic changes (ST segment elevation in 47%; primary TC) and 56 patients subsequently developed TC after an alternative initial diagnosis (ST segment elevation 27%; secondary TC; P = 0.04). Inciting events differed in those with primary versus secondary TC, with 48% of primary TC patients describing emotional stress; most secondary TC (75%) manifested after a surgical procedure or infection. Average length of hospital stay for primary TC was 6.68 days (SD = 5.32, range 1-28 d) and 18.22 (SD = 20.76, range 3-129 d) for secondary TC (P < .0001). Time to resolution of LV function was equal in both groups. With regard to mortality, eight of nine deaths occurred in secondary TC patients, and all nine deaths were attributable to comorbid medical conditions. Primary TC is frequently related to emotional stress, and carries a benign prognosis. Secondary TC is associated with an acute medical condition and results in a higher death rate.
authors.forename: Sarika K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Jerold
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shinbane
authors.forename: Jayanta R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mirocha
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine/Cardiovascular Thoracic Institute, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles CA, and Cardiovascular Research Foundation at CVMG of Southern California; Biostatistics Core, Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Suhail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dohad