Reversible ventricular dysfunction takotsubo cardiomyopathy

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Abstract
Background: Recently, many cardiologists have recognized the existence of a rapidly reversible form of heart failure of unknown origin characterized by a takotsubo‐shaped, dyskinetic left ventricle on left ventriculography.Aim: To determine the detailed clinical features of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.Methods: Thirteen elderly patients (11 women and 2 men with a mean age of 75.3 years) who had normal coronary arteries and takotsubo‐like left ventricular dysfunction were prospectively enrolled in this study.Results: Cardiac enzymes did not increase significantly, but the mean plasma norepinephrine level was very high on admission (0.98 μg/l). Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries in all patients, but left ventriculography showed apical akinesis combined with basal hyperkinesis, i.e., a takotsubo (Japanese octopus fishing pot)‐shaped ventricle. Left ventricular wall motion normalized within a mean of 16.9 hospital days in 12 patients, but 1 patient died of acute renal failure on hospital day 7. Cardiac events did not recur during a follow‐up period of 0.5 to 5 years.Conclusion: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy seems to be a new type of acute heart failure, which generally has a good prognosis and does not recur. Myocardial damage by catecholamine overload, adrenoceptor hypersensitivity, and changes of catecholamine dynamics due to stress may cause this condition.