"Lambda-wave" ST-elevation is associated with severe prognosis in stress (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy.

Persistent ST-segment elevation in acute coronary syndrome is associated with both short and long-term complications. By contrast, there is limited information about ST-elevation and its evolution during takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy (TTC). To evaluate whether persistent downsloping ST-elevation in the early stages of TTC might correlate with short and long-term clinical events. One-hundred fifty-eight consecutive subjects with TTC were prospectively enrolled and assessed by electrocardiogram. Patients were classified in two groups according to the presence of downsloping ST-elevation ≥5 mm lasting at least 24 hr ("lambda-wave" ST-elevation group vs. without downsloping ST-elevation) in at least one/two contiguous leads. Five (3.2%) patients, all female with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction 32 ± 5%, were included in the lambda-wave ST-elevation group. These patients were characterized by a higher prevalence of physical stressor (100% vs. 49%, p = 0.04) and higher admission and peak levels of troponin-I levels during hospitalization. Peak of ST-elevation in the lambda-wave ST-elevation group was reached 6 hr after admission and gradually decreased after 24 hr. In-hospital complications were observed in all the patients presenting lambda ST-elevation (100% vs. 23%, p = 0.03, OR: 29.1, p = 0.04); one patient presented endoventricular thrombosis and two died of cardiogenic shock. At long-term follow-up (mean 443 days), adverse events were observed in 80% of patients with lambda-wave ST-elevation (RR of adverse events at follow-up 32, p < 0.01). Persistent downsloping lambda-wave ST-elevation during the acute phase of stress cardiomyopathy may be associated with a higher risk of adverse events at short and long-term follow-up.

Tarantino N ，Santoro F ，Guastafierro F ，Di Martino LFM ，Scarcia M ，Ieva R ，Ruggiero A ，Cuculo A ，Mariano E ，Di Biase M ，Brunetti ND ... -  《-》

Impact of persistent ST elevation on outcome in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. Results from the GErman Italian STress Cardiomyopathy (GEIST) registry.

Potential predictors of clinical complications of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) are poorly known. Persistent ST-segment elevation (PSTE) may have an impact on outcome similar as previously reported in acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and prognostic relevance of PSTE in patients with TTS. Two-hundred-sixty-nine consecutive patients were enrolled in an international multicenter registry. PSTE was defined as the documentation of ST-elevation at least for the first 48h of hospitalization. Long-term mortality was evaluated in median 1.9years after the acute event. PSTE was found in 52 TTS patients (19%). Patients with PSTE were characterized by higher admission levels of troponin-I (23±12 vs 8±49ng/L, p<0.001), experienced a longer hospitalization (10±5 vs 8±3days, p=0.02) and a higher rate of in-hospital complications (31% vs 17% p=0.03). At multivariate analysis including PSTE, age, male sex, admission ejection fraction, PSTE (odds ratio [OR] 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-13; p=0.01), age (OR 1.05; 95%CI 1.00-1.10; p=0.03) and admission ejection fraction (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.87-0.99; p=0.02) were independent predictors of in-hospital complications. At long-term follow-up no significant differences in terms of mortality were observed between patients with and without PSTE (19% vs 15%; p=0.5). However, PSTE was a predictor of major cardiac adverse events (MACE) at follow-up (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.02-5.31, p 0.045). In TTS patients, PSTE is a common finding, represents an independent predictor of in-hospital complications and could be associated with MACE at follow-up.

Santoro F ，Stiermaier T ，Tarantino N ，Guastafierro F ，Graf T ，Möller C ，Di Martino LFM ，Thiele H ，Di Biase M ，Eitel I ，Brunetti ND ... -  《-》

Echocardiographic correlates of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and echocardiographic correlates of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and in-hospital mortality in a large cohort of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) patients. Despite good long-term prognosis, life-threatening complications due to hemodynamic instability can occur early in TTC patients. The study population consisted of 227 patients (66.2 ± 12.2 years of age; females, 90.3%) enrolled in the Tako-tsubo Italian Network, undergoing transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography on admission and at short-term follow-up (4.3 [4 to 6] weeks). Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of major adverse events, a composite of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality. Major adverse events occurred in 59 patients (25.9%). The variables for elderly patients ≥ 75 years of age (42.4% vs. 23.8%; p = 0.011): left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (35.1 ± 5.9% vs. 38.4 ± 4.6%, p < 0.001), wall motion score index (1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), E/e' ratio (13.5 ± 4.3 vs. 9.9 ± 3.3 [where E/e' is ratio of mitral E peak velocity and averaged e' velocity], p < 0.001), LV outflow tract obstruction (23.7 vs. 8.9%, p = 0.006), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (47.4 ± 12.3 mm Hg vs. 38.0 ± 9.2 mm Hg; p < 0.001), right ventricular involvement (28.8 vs. 9.5%; p < 0.001), and reversible moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (49.1 vs. 11.9%; p < 0.001), were significantly different between groups and were associated with adverse events. At multivariate analysis, LV ejection fraction (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.95; p < 0.001), E/e' ratio (HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.24; p = 0.011), reversible moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (HR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.16 to 9.10; p = 0.025), and age ≥ 75 years (HR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.05 to 7.52; p = 0.039) were independent correlates of major adverse events. Echocardiographic parameters provide additional information compared to other variables routinely used in clinical practice to identify patients at higher risk of hemodynamic deterioration and poor in-hospital outcome, allowing prompt institution of appropriate pharmacological treatment and adequate mechanical support.

Citro R ，Rigo F ，D'Andrea A ，Ciampi Q ，Parodi G ，Provenza G ，Piccolo R ，Mirra M ，Zito C ，Giudice R ，Patella MM ，Antonini-Canterin F ，Bossone E ，Piscione F ，Salerno-Uriarte J ，Tako-Tsubo Italian Network Investigators ... -  《-》

Left Ventricular Thrombi in Takotsubo Syndrome: Incidence, Predictors, and Management: Results From the GEIST (German Italian Stress Cardiomyopathy) Registry.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombi during Takotsubo syndrome represent a potential complication and can be associated with cerebrovascular embolic events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exact incidence, predictors, and management strategies of LV thrombi in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. We enrolled 541 consecutive patients in a multicenter international registry. Clinical features and echocardiographic data at admission, during hospitalization, and after 3 months were evaluated. Survival rates for long-term follow-up (mean 984±908 days) were recorded. Twelve Takotsubo syndrome patients (2.2%) developed LV thrombi (all female presenting with apical ballooning pattern). All patients with LV thrombi were treated with oral anticoagulation therapy; however, 2 (17%) had a stroke before treatment initiation. These patients were characterized by a higher prevalence of ST-elevation (56% versus 16%; P<0.001) and higher troponin I levels (10.8±18.3 ng/mL versus 3.5±4.3 ng/mL; P=0.001) as compared with those without LV thrombi. At multivariate analysis including age, sex, LV ejection fraction, ST-elevation at admission, and apical ballooning pattern, troponin I level >10 ng/mL was the only predictor for LV thrombosis (hazard ratio 6.6, confidence interval, 1.01-40.0; P=0.04). After 3 months all LV thrombi disappeared. Oral anticoagulation therapy was interrupted in all patients except 1. At long-term follow-up, the survival rate was not different between patients with and without LV thrombi (84% versus 85%; P=0.99). LV thrombi have a relatively low incidence among patients with Takotsubo syndrome and were detected in female patients with apical ballooning pattern and increased troponin levels. Oral anticoagulation therapy for 3 months seems reasonable in these high-risk patients.

Santoro F ，Stiermaier T ，Tarantino N ，De Gennaro L ，Moeller C ，Guastafierro F ，Marchetti MF ，Montisci R ，Carapelle E ，Graf T ，Caldarola P ，Thiele H ，Di Biase M ，Brunetti ND ，Eitel I ... -  《Journal of the American Heart Association》

Comparison of on-admission ST-segment elevation tako-tsubo patients and myocardial infarction women: in-hospital course and long-term follow-up.

Pawlak M ，Roik M ，Kochanowski J ，Scisło P ，Kowalik R ，Huczek Z ，Dąbrowska K ，Opolski G ... -  《-》