Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Takotsubo Syndrome-Is There a Need for CMR?
Philipp-Johannes Jensch1,2, Thomas Stiermaier1,2, Ingo Eitel3,4
1University Heart Center Lübeck, Medical Clinic II (Cardiology/Angiology/Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.
Purpose Of Review:
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient but severe myocardial dysfunction that has been known for decades and is still to be fully understood regarding its clinical presentations and pathophysiological mechanisms. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging plays a key role in the comprehensive analysis of patients with TTS in acute and follow-up examinations. In this review, we focus on the major advantages and latest evolutions of CMR in diagnosis and prognostication of TTS and discuss future perspectives and needs in the field of research and cardiovascular imaging in TTS.
Recent Findings:
Specific CMR criteria for TTS diagnosis at the time of acute presentation are established. In addition to identifying the typical regional wall motion abnormalities, CMR allows for precise quantification of right ventricular and left ventricular (LV) function, the assessment of additional abnormalities/complications (e.g. pericardial and/or pleural effusion, LV thrombi), and most importantly myocardial tissue characterization (myocardial oedema, inflammation, necrosis/fibrosis). CMR enables a comprehensive assessment of the entire spectrum of functional and structural changes that occur in patients with TTS and may have also a prognostic impact. CMR can distinguish between TTS and other important differential diagnoses (myocarditis, myocardial infarction) with direct consequences on medical therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

