Thromboembolism in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Background: Most patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy show a favorable outcome. Although several complications have been reported, the frequency of thromboembolism has not been clarified.

Methods: Clinical characteristics and complications of 21 consecutive patients (18 female, aged 72 years) with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during the past 9 years were investigated.

Results: The most major complication was heart failure (52%). Thromboembolism was found in 3 patients (14%) and this was the second most frequent cardiovascular complication. One of the 3 patients showed left ventricular thrombus and the other 2 experienced cardioembolic stroke. All 3 patients visited the emergency department more than 48 h after initial chest pain occurred.

Conclusions: This study indicates that thromboembolism is a common complication in the acute phase of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and anticoagulation therapy should be performed in all patients until wall motion abnormalities improve. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy should be considered one of the important causes of cardioembolic stroke.