Takotsubo Syndrome: An Epidemiologic Evaluation

Takotsubo syndrome is characterized by regional wall motion abnormalities that reflect impairment of myocardial contractility in the absence of culprit epicardial coronary artery disease. The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for Takotsubo syndrome remain unknown and predominately occur in postmenopausal females suffering either a psychological or physical stressor. This study used the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Healthcare database evaluating demographic distribution of patients with Takotsubo syndrome to identify what comorbid conditions were most prevalent in patients found to have Takotsubo syndrome in the United States population and compare them to the traditional patient population with the condition. The patient population in the HCA Healthcare United States database was similar to prior known demographic factors including postmenopausal females and Caucasian ethnicity. Interestingly, in both the previously diagnosed group and diagnosed at the time of presentation with the Takotsubo syndrome group, there was a mismatch between the number of patients diagnosed with an underlying mood disorder and on psychiatric medication. This may provide further evidence of Takotsubo syndrome being a dramatic presentation of a mood disorder.