The Clinical Course of Takotsubo Syndrome Diagnosed According to the InterTAK Criteria

Abstract

Background

There has been an increase in the number of cases of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and of scientific publications on the theme over the last years. However, little is known about the status of this disease in Brazilian hospitals.

Objective

To assess mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and follow-up of TTS patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study on 48 patients. Clinical data, signs and symptoms, complementary tests, MACE and all-cause mortality were assessed on admission and during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for analysis of all-cause mortality and risk for MACE at median follow-up. The 95% confidence interval was also calculated for a significance level of 5%.

Results

Mean age of patients was 71 years (SD±13 years), and most patients were women (n=41; 85.4%). During hospitalization, four patients (8.3%) died and five (10.4%) developed MACE. At median follow-up of 354.5 days (IQR of 81.5-896.5 days), the risk of all-cause mortality and MACE was 11.1% (95% CI= 1.8-20.3%) and 12.7% (95% CI= 3.3-22.3%), respectively.

Conclusion

TTS was associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in a tertiary hospital in Brazil, which were comparable to those observed in acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, the severity of TTS should not be underestimated, and new therapeutic strategies are required. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Acute Coronary Syndrome; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Heart Failure; Shock, Cardiogenic; Ventricular Dysfunction