Broken Heart Syndrome

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TC) is also known as Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy or Broken Heart Syndrome. Typically there is transient systolic dysfunction of the apical or the mid segments of the left ventricle that occurs in the presence of acute emotional stress. Some atypical variants have been described. Hyperadrenergic state associated with emotional stress is cited as the probable etiology. It mimics Acute Myocardial Infarction with concomitant rise in cardiac biomarkers, ECG, 2D-Echocardiography abnormalities comprising of left ventricular dysfunction with regional wall motion abnormality, no significant Coronary Artery Disease on angiography. It is a variant of dilated cardiomyopathy. Medical management of TC is similar to dilated cardiomyopathy. This syndrome has characteristic reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Our article aims to increase the awareness of this syndrome amongst practitioners for its early recognition and correct management. Also there is a marked rise in number of studies regarding Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after 2008.