Epidemiology and pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome is an acute cardiac disorder first identified in Japan in 1990. The pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome is complex and involves the neuroendocrine system. Cardiovascular responses are often induced by a sudden surge in sympathetic activation and subsequent catecholamine concentration. In this Review, Akashi et al. discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of the syndrome, as well as some of the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying its development. Takotsubo syndrome is an acute cardiac syndrome first described in 1990 and characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction affecting more than one coronary artery territory, often in a circumferential apical, mid-ventricular, or basal distribution. Several pathophysiological explanations have been proposed for this syndrome and its intriguing appearance, and awareness is growing that these explanations might not be mutually exclusive. The reversible apical myocardial dysfunction observed might result from more than one pathophysiological phenomenon. The pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome is complex and integrates neuroendocrine physiology, potentially involving the cognitive centres of the brain, and including the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Cardiovascular responses are caused by the sudden sympathetic activation and surge in concentrations of circulating catecholamines. The multiple morphological changes seen in the myocardium match those seen after catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity. The acute prognosis and recurrence rate are now known to be worse than initially thought, and much still needs to be learned about the epidemiology and the underlying pathophysiology of this fascinating condition in order to improve diagnostic and treatment pathways.