Occurrence of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy in association with ingestion of serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

Heart Lung Circ. 2012 Apr;21(4):203-5. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2011.12.004. Epub 2012 Jan 27.

Abstract

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) occurs particularly in post-menopausal women, being precipitated in many cases by severe emotional stress. We describe six patients in whom TTC occurred in association with therapeutic ingestion or overdose of the serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine, or its metabolite desvenlafaxine. Importantly, two of the six cases were not post-menopausal women. An increased risk of TTC may account for some of the reported cardiovascular adverse effects of venlafaxine and similar agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cyclohexanols / adverse effects*
  • Cyclohexanols / therapeutic use
  • Desvenlafaxine Succinate
  • Drug Overdose
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
  • Normetanephrine / blood
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / chemically induced*
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / physiopathology
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Substances

  • Cyclohexanols
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Normetanephrine
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
  • Desvenlafaxine Succinate