Tako-Tsubo syndrome in patients with COVID-19: a single-center retrospective case series

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2023 Sep 5;94(2). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2023.2675.

Abstract

Growing evidence shows that COVID-19 is associated with an increase in Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TTS) incidence. We collected data from patients hospitalized in our multidisciplinary COVID-19 department who had a diagnosis of TTS during the second and third waves of the pandemic in Italy. We reported four cases of TTS associated with COVID-19. Except for COVID-19, no patient had any classical TTS triggers. The mean age was 72 years (67-81) and all patients had COVID-19-related interstitial pneumonia confirmed by computed tomography. Typical apical ballooning and transitory reduction in left ventricle (LV) systolic function with a complete recovery before discharge were observed in all patients. The mean LV ejection fraction at TTS onset was 42% (40-48%). The electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in two cases, while an evolution with negative T waves and corrected QT prolongation was observed in all patients. Three patients underwent coronary angiography. Two patients had Alzheimer's disease. The time interval from hospital admission to TTS onset was 4 (2-6) days, and the time interval from COVID-19 symptom onset to TTS diagnosis was 10 (8-12) days. COVID-19 may be a trigger for TTS, though TTS pathophysiology in COVID-19 patients remains unclear, likely due to its multifactorial nature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / physiopathology
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy* / diagnosis
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy* / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed