Contemporary Imaging in Takotsubo Syndrome

Abstract

Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for evaluating patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Beyond diagnosis, TTE enables detection of peculiar complications and is useful for risk stratification and management of patients with cardiogenic shock. Cardiac magnetic resonance can be used to detect myocardial edema typically associated with TTS and is helpful in the differential diagnosis with other disease states. Coronary computed tomography angiography can be performed as an alternative to coronary angiography to confirm coronary artery patency. Molecular imaging is a promising approach for identifying patients at increased risk of recurrence.

Keywords: Apical ballooning syndrome; Cardiac magnetic resonance; Coronary computed tomography angiography; Echocardiography; Positron emission tomography; Single photon emission computed tomography; Stress cardiomyopathy; Takotsubo syndrome.