New Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Study Findings Have Been Published by Investigators at Hamamatsu University.

"Our study aimed to investigate both the clinical implications of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and the relation of LGE to clinical findings in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). We evaluated 20 consecutive patients (2 men, 18 women; median age, 77 years; interquartile range [IQR] 67-82 years) who were admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of TTC," scientists in Hamamatsu, Japan report (see also Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy).

"CMR was performed within 1 week after admission, and follow-up studies were conducted 1.5 and 6 months later. In 8 patients, CMR imaging during the sub-acute phase revealed LGE in the area matched with wall motion impairment. Cardiogenic shock was more frequently observed in patients with LGE than in those without LGE (38% vs 0%, p = 0.049). The patients with LGE needed a longer duration for ECG normalization and recovery of wall motion than did those without LGE (median 205 days, IQR [152-363] vs 68 days, [43-145], p = 0.005; 15 days, [10-185] vs 7 days, [4-13], p = 0.030, respectively). In 5 of these 8 patients, LGE disappeared within 45-180 days (170, IQR [56-180]) of onset. The patients with LGE remaining in the chronic phase had higher peak creatine kinase levels than did those without LGE (median 307 IU/L, IQR [264-460] vs 202 IU/L, [120-218], p = 0.017)," wrote Y. Naruse and colleagues, Hamamatsu University.

The researchers concluded: "LGE by CMR in the sub-acute phase may be associated with the severity and prolonged recovery to normal of clinical findings in TTC."

Naruse and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (The clinical impact of late gadolinium enhancement in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: serial analysis of cardiovascular magnetic resonance images. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 2011;13():1-9).

For additional information, contact Y. Naruse, Hamamatsu Univ Sch Med, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 4313192, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance is: Biomed Central Ltd, 236 Grays Inn Rd, Floor 6, London WC1X 8HL, England.

Keywords: City:Hamamatsu, Country:Japan, Region:Asia, Cardiology, Heart Disease, Cardiovascular Diseases, Lanthanoid Series Elements, Left Ventricular Dysfunction

This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.