Comparing clinical profiles, in-hospital complications and one-year cerebrovascular events in typical and midventricular TTS-results from a retrospective study between two third-level centers
Authors: Vanni F , Duran-Cambra A , Tavecchia G , Stratinaki M , Padilla-Lopez M , Agostini C , Scheggi V , Rodriguez-Sotelo L , Vila-Perales M , Bragagnini W , Pena-Ortega P , Pons-Monne M , Sionis A , Di Mario C 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
None.

Background
Apical ballooning is considered the typical form of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and occurs in about 75-80% of cases. Midventricular (MV) is the most frequent atypical variant and represents about 15% of TTS. Clinical and analytical characteristics, early complications and the risk of cerebrovascular events (CVEs) between these two specific groups are poorly studied.

Purpose of the study
To investigate the clinical profile, laboratory variables, in-hospital complications and one-year CVEs between typical and MV variants of TTS.

Methods
we retrospectively examined the patients admitted to two third-level hospitals with a diagnosis of TTS. A total of 248 TTS met InterTAK diagnostic criteria. Clinical features, myocardial enzymes, echocardiographic variables, early complications and one-year CVEs were assessed.

Results
Of 248 patients diagnosed with TTS, a total of 205 (83%) patients presented with typical and 43 (17%) with MV variant of TTS. Patients with MV form were younger (age mean ± SD 68 ± 12 vs 74 ± 11 years, p value = 0.002) and had a lower incidence of hypertension (46% vs 73%; p value &lt; 0.001) than those with apical variant.
On admission, patients with MV form presented a lower degree of left ventricular dysfunction (EF mean ± SD, 44 ± 9% vs 41 ± 9%, p value = 0.018) and a tendence not to present left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) (0 vs 9%, p value = 0.049). Lower N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels on admission (median [IQR], 881 [99 – 3049] pg/mL vs 3466 [677 - 9067] pg/mL, p value &lt;0.001) and at peak (3150 [947- 4437] pg/mL vs 4622 [1886 - 13163] pg/mL, p value = 0.005) were observed in MV group compared to the typical form. In-hospital cardiovascular (CV) complications were frequently observed (46% in the overall population) and appeared to be more frequent in the typical variant (51% vs 33%, p value= 0.035); in particular, we reported a higher prevalence of AF (16% vs 2%, p value = 0.022). The number of CS and VT cases is remarkable in both the subgroups (13% vs 7%; 5% vs 2%), with a higher prevalence in the typical form, even if not reaching a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p= 0.437; p= 0.695). No significant differences were observed in LV thrombosis, and in on admission and one-year CVEs between the two groups, although with a higher prevalence in the typical variant (respectively 3 vs 0, 10 vs 1 and 5 vs 0).

Conclusions
MV TTS presents some differences in clinical characteristics, analytical values and echocardiographic parameters compared to the typical variant. In-hospital CV complications are remarkable, and more frequently observed in typical variant, although not reaching a statistically significant difference in CS and VT. Similarly, more CVE were observed in the typical TTS group, although in the absence of a statistical significance. The importance of close monitoring in the acute phase is confirmed for both variants under study.