Brain-Heart Interaction in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Brain-Heart Interaction in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Judith Z. Goldfinger, Ajith Nair, and Brett A. Sea love Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is classically stress induced and characterized by regional wall motion abnormalities in the absence of coronary occlusion. It predominantly affects postmenopausal women; emotional and physical stressors can trigger the classic cardiomyopathic findings. These changes are likely mediated by catecholamines, which cause a distinctive pattern of ventricular dysfunction with a unique pathologic phenotype of apical ballooning. Underlying mood disorders increase the risk for developing takotsubo cardiomyopathy after a triggering event. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is one of several brain-heart disorders; its unique pathology can shed light on the complex interactions between the brain, sympathetic nervous system, and the cardiovascular system.