Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Generation and Characterization of Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction Induced by Permanent Ligation of the Right Coronary Artery in Mice
10:18

Generation and Characterization of Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction Induced by Permanent Ligation of the Right Coronary Artery in Mice

Published on: February 1, 2022

3.4K

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Understanding the Pathophysiology of Selective Left Ventricular Involvement

Deepak Kumar Pasupula1, Venkata Suresh Patthipati2, Awais Javed1

  • 1Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA.

Cureus
|December 6, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) affects the left ventricle, particularly the apex. Poor cholinergic nerve distribution in the LV apex may explain this unique cardiovascular disease pattern during stress.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a recognized cardiovascular condition mimicking myocardial infarction.
  • Despite advances, the pathophysiology of its characteristic left ventricular (LV) apical involvement remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the differential distribution of adrenergic (AN) and cholinergic nerves (CN) in the human heart.
  • To propose a hypothesis for the selective LV apical involvement in TCM.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cardiac innervation.
  • Extrapolation of nerve distribution patterns to explain TCM pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Adrenergic nerve activity is prominent in the LV apex.
  • Cholinergic nerve distribution is less dense in the LV apex compared to other regions.

Conclusions:

  • Unequal distribution of cardiac autonomic nerves, specifically reduced CN in the LV apex, may contribute to microcirculatory dysfunction.
  • Unopposed adrenergic activity during catecholamine surges could precipitate TCM's characteristic apical ballooning.

Keywords:
adrenergic receptorscholinergic receptorscoronary microcirculationpathophysiologytakotsubo cardiomyopathy

More Related Videos

Permanent Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Mice: A Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Remodelling and Heart Failure09:37

Permanent Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Mice: A Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Remodelling and Heart Failure

Published on: December 2, 2014

28.5K
Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR07:24

Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR

Published on: April 8, 2013

24.7K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
442
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
308
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
347
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
624
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
402
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
325