Trigger factors in takotsubo syndrome - A systematic review of case reports

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Medical Research

Background:

• Takotsubo syndrome, a form of acute heart failure, is often linked to physical or emotional triggers, though their prevalence is not well-established.
• Understanding these triggers is crucial for managing Takotsubo syndrome.
• This study investigates trigger factor prevalence across different demographics within Takotsubo syndrome patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of physical and emotional trigger factors in Takotsubo syndrome.
• To analyze trigger factor distribution based on sex and age in women with Takotsubo syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of case reports was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases up to March 2018.
• Trigger factors were classified into physical and emotional categories.
• Data analysis focused on comparing trigger factor prevalence across different demographic groups.

Main Results:

• Physical trigger factors are more prevalent (67.3%) than emotional ones in Takotsubo syndrome.
• Males and females younger than 50 years reported trigger factors more frequently than older females.
• Physical triggers were more common in males (85.7%) and younger females (75.6%) compared to older females (59.3%).

Conclusions:

• Physical trigger factors, including drugs, surgery, and CNS conditions, are more common in Takotsubo syndrome.
• Males and younger females (≤50 years) are more likely to experience evident physical trigger factors compared to older females (>50 years).
• These findings highlight demographic differences in Takotsubo syndrome trigger patterns.