The Role of Echocardiography in Diagnosis and Follow Up of Patients with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or Acute Ballooning Syndrome

摘要

Introduction: The transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was first described in Japan approximately 20 years ago (Satoh and coworkers, 1991). Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy characterized by transient apical and midventricular LV dysfunction in the absence of significant coronary artery disease that is triggered by emotional or physical stress. Echocardiography in the Takotsubo cardiomyopathy reveals during its acute phase a ballooning resembling the octopus trap configuration - the apex and lateral ventricular segments are hypokinetic while the base is hyperkinetic - along with reduced ejection fraction. Ventricular function will usually recover within a few days/weeks. Precise incidence is unknown, however up to 2.5% of all patients presenting with an initial clinically suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).