Comparison of electrographic changes, clinical features and outcomes in different variants of Takotsubo syndrome.

Background: Dysfunction of the left ventricular (LV) apex (apical variant) is the most common form in Takotsubo syndrome (TS). Several less common non-apical variants have been described - mid-ventricular, basal and focal. We hypothesised that the clinical presentation, and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings may vary between apical and non-apical TS.

Methods: We prospectively identified 194 consecutive patients with TS presenting to Middlemore Hospital, Auckland and obtained clinical, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and long-term follow-up data. ECGs at admission and Day 1 were compared.

Results: Of 194 patients with TS, 168 (86.6%) had apical TS, and 26 (13.4%) non-apical TS (11 mid-ventricular TS, 5 basal TS, 10 focal TS). Apical TS patients had more significant LV systolic impairment (p = 0.001) and longer length of stay (p = 0.001). The extent of T-wave inversion (TWI) was similar for both groups on admission (p = 0.88). By Day 1 the extent of TWI was greater in apical TS group (median number of leads 5 vs. 1, p = 0.02). The change in QTc interval between admission and Day 1 was greater in apical TS group (29.7 ms vs. 2.77 ms, p < 0.001). Composite in-hospital complication rate was similar for both groups (13.7% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.77).

Conclusions: Compared with non-apical variants, apical TS patients develop more extensive TWI and greater QT prolongation on ECG, and more significant LV systolic impairment, but in-hospital complications were similar. Clinicians should be aware that there is a sub-group of TS patients who have non-apical regional wall motion abnormalities and who don't develop ECG changes typical of the more common apical variant.