Title: Takotsubo's Cardiomyopathy<br/>Author: Ashley Menne<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/1825/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p> -Nonischemic cardiomyopathy, classically seen in post-menopausal women preceded by an emotional or physical stressor</p> <p> -Named for characteristic appearance on echocardiography and ventriculography with apical ballooning and contraction of the basilar segments of the LV – looks like a Japanese octopus trap or “takotsubo" (pot with narrow neck and round bottom)</p> <p> -Clinical presentation usually similar to ACS with chest pain, dyspnea, syncope, and EKG changes not easily distinguished from ischemia (ST elevations – 43.7%, ST depressions, TW inversions, repol abnormalities) and elevation in cardiac biomarkers (though peak is typically much lower than in true ACS)</p> <p> </p> <p> ** Diagnosis of exclusion – only after normal (or near-normal) coronary angiography **</p> <p> </p> <p> -Care is supportive and prognosis is excellent with full and early recovery in almost all patients (majority have normalization of LVEF within 1 week)</p> <p> -Supportive care may include inotropes, vasopressors, IABP, and/or VA ECMO in profound cardiogenic shock</p> <p> </p> <p> ** LVOT Obstruction **</p> <p> -occurs in 10-25% of patients with Takotsubo’s cardiomyopathy</p> <p> -LV mid and apical hypokinesis with associated hypercontractility of basal segments of the LV predisposes to LV outflow tract obstruction</p> <p> -Important to recognize as it is managed differently:</p> <p> -may be worsened by hypovolemia, inotropes, and/or systemic vasodilatation</p> <p> -mainstay of treatment is avoidance of the above triggers/exacerbating factors while increasing afterload</p> <p> *phenylephrine is agent of choice +/- beta blockade </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <u>Take Home Points:</u></p> <p> ***Diagnosis of exclusion!!! Presentation very similar to ACS and ACS <u>MUST</u> be ruled out</p> <p> * Treatment is supportive and similar to usual care for cardiogenic shock. Can be severe and require mechanical circulatory support!</p> <p> *10-25% have LVOT obstruction. Manage with phenylephrine +/- beta blockade</p> <fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<p style="margin-left:32.0pt;"> Weiner MM, Asher DI, Augoustides G, et al. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy?: A Clinical Update for the Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist. <em>J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth</em>. 2017;31(1):334-344. doi:10.1053/j.jvca.2016.06.004.</p> </fieldset>