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05:14
A Doxorubicin-Induced Murine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Vivo
Published on: May 16, 2020
Takotsubo or stress cardiomyopathy
1Service de Cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier de Rangueil, Toulouse University, 31000 Toulouse, France.
Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology
|October 12, 2012
Summary
Sudden emotional stress can cause reversible left ventricular dysfunction, mimicking heart attacks in postmenopausal women. This condition, known as stress cardiomyopathy, resolves within weeks, highlighting the heart
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurocardiology
Background:
- Reversible left ventricular dysfunction has been reported following emotional stress.
- Acute chest pain and dyspnea can mimic acute coronary syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate 10 postmenopausal women hospitalized with symptoms mimicking acute coronary syndrome after severe emotional stress.
- To investigate the cardiac function and coronary status in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) and cardiac enzyme/biomarker level assessment.
- Coronary angiography to rule out thrombosis or stenosis.
- Ventriculography to assess left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with EKG ST segment alterations and minor cardiac enzyme elevations.
- Coronary angiography revealed no coronary thrombosis or severe stenosis.
- Ventriculography showed left ventricular apical and midventricular wall motion abnormalities.
- All patients experienced a benign course with full recovery of left ventricular function within weeks.
Conclusions:
- Severe emotional stress can precipitate reversible left ventricular dysfunction (stress cardiomyopathy).
- This condition presents similarly to acute coronary syndrome but lacks obstructive coronary disease.
- Potential mechanisms include catecholamine damage, microvascular spasm, or neural-mediated stunning.
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