title: [Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: current evidence from observational studies and pathophysiological background].
abstract: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute reversible form of cardiac failure, firstly described in 1991, with a prognosis not favorable as previously thought. Although high levels of catecholamines have been suggested as the leading mechanism for the onset, the pathophysiology remains unclear. However, several pathophysiological explanations have been proposed, all not mutually exclusive. A complex chain of events is present, including the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the surge in circulating catecholamines and subsequent cardiovascular responses. This review addresses the diagnostic classification, short and mid-term prognosis, precipitating factors, classification into primary and secondary forms, and possible drug therapies for stress cardiomyopathy. Clinical and experimental studies are needed to further improve diagnosis and targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia.
authors.forename: Natale Daniele
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ieva
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Biase
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Foggia - Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY, USA - Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA - Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Biase
mesh_terms: D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D054549:Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines