Cardiovascular · UKMLA & AKT
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise takotsubo cardiomyopathy — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Reversible left ventricular dysfunction triggered by catecholamine surge - also called stress cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome
- Accounts for ~1-2% of suspected ACS presentations; >90% in women, most commonly post-menopausal aged 60-70
- Mechanism: stressor → catecholamine surge → apical/mid-ventricular stunning (apical myocardium has higher beta-adrenoceptor density) → systolic dysfunction with apical ballooning; epicardial coronaries remain patent
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