Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
Insights
Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, a transient myocardial stunning condition, mimics heart attacks but lacks coronary artery issues. It presents with reversible left ventricular dysfunction, often triggered by stress and hypercatecholaminemia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a rare condition.
- It is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction that mimics acute myocardial infarction.
- Diagnosis is typically made in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.
Purpose:
- This literature review focuses on the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.
- It aims to consolidate current understanding of this unique cardiac condition.
- The review highlights historical cases and their relation to modern concepts of myocardial stunning.
Summary:
- Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy involves reversible myocardial stunning, presenting acutely like a heart attack but without coronary artery disease.
- Echocardiography and ventriculography show characteristic left ventricular hypokinesis, often with apical ballooning and basal hyperkinesis.
- Historical cases of stress-induced myocardial damage in young men with hypercatecholaminemia align with current understanding of myocardial stunning.
Impact:
- This review enhances understanding of a rare cardiomyopathy, aiding in differential diagnosis from acute myocardial infarction.
- It emphasizes the role of stress and hypercatecholaminemia in reversible myocardial dysfunction.
- The findings support the concept of myocardial stunning as a mechanism in stress-induced cardiac events.
Abstract:
This literature review is devoted to the " tako-tsubo " cardiomyopathy - rare type of cardiomyopathy characterized by transient myocardial stunning. In acute phase the disease resembles myocardial infarction. However no involvement of coronary arteries is found at angiography. Echocardiography and ventriculography reveal a- or - hypokinesia of various parts of the left ventricle. Classic (initial) variant of the disease is associated with concomitant apical akinesia and hyperkinesis of basal segments. The heart acquires a distinctive configuration with ballooning apex which resembles device used to trap octopus. The author refers to described by him 11 cases of myocardial damage with infarct-like clinic without changes of coronary arteries in healthy men younger than 35 years (D.M.Aronow, 1968, 1974). These cases occurred during severe physical stress and had in their basis hypercatecholaminemia which led to reversible myocardial damage of the myocardium which corresponded to modern concept of myocardial stunning. During exercise tests these patients had 3 times greater increase of urinal epinephrine excretion compared with 61 patients of the same age with atherosclerotic heart disease.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

