Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD

Educational Pearls:

3% of cases of acute coronary syndrome are due to Takotsubo
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome" can occur with severe physiologic or emotional stressors, as these events can result in a profound outpouring of sympathetic neurotransmitters (epinephrine/norepinephrine)
Receptors for these catecholamines are very dense around the apex of the heart, so the apical aspect of the heart can balloon outward as a result of this surge
Most often cases resolve in several weeks although in rare cases it can lead to congestive heart failure or a thrombus formation

References

Ahmad SA, Brito D, Khalid N, et al. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. [Updated 2022 Jan 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430798/

Bossone E, Savarese G, Ferrara F, et al. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: overview. Heart Fail Clin. 2013;9(2):249-x. doi:10.1016/j.hfc.2012.12.015

Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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