title: Influence of Age and Gender in Takotsubo Syndrome.
abstract: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) occurs predominantly in elderly females but young individuals and children may also be affected. There are no consistent differences between men and women regarding age, symptoms, prehospital delay, or clinical course. Mortality has been reported to be higher in males. The QTc interval may be disproportionately prolonged in male patients in the days after admission predisposing them to ventricular arrhythmias. The higher level of cardiac markers in males with TTS may be related to the greater frequency of physical stress before the onset of TTS. Understanding the pathogenetic background may lead to preventive/therapeutic means against this life-threatening disease.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik II, Sana Kliniken Lübeck, Kronsforder Allee 71 - 73, Lübeck D-23560, Germany. Electronic address: birke.schneider@sana.de.
authors.forename: Birke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Kardiologie, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Auerbachstrasse 110, Stuttgart D-70376, Germany.
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sechtem
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Apical ballooning syndrome; Emotional stress; Gender-related difference; Physical stress; QT prolongation; Resuscitation; Takotsubo syndrome; Ventricular tachycardia