Clinical Characteristics and Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Findings in Stress (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy.

The article discusses a study on stress cardiomyopathy (SC) also known in Japanese as takotsubo conducted in Europe and North America from January 2005 to October 2010. SC is described as a transient form of acute heart failure linked with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and triggered by stressful events. The study involved postmenopausal women, younger women and men. Four different patterns of regional ventricular ballooning were identified through data from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Coronary angiography revealed healthy coronary arteries in 75% of the patients and an epicardial coronary artery stenosis in 6%. Also discussed are the clinical characteristics, treatment and management of SC.