Short- and medium-term prognosis of Takotsubo syndrome in a Portuguese population.

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.

AIM: To characterize a Portuguese population with TTS and to determine their short- and medium-term prognosis.

METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study in Portuguese hospitals that included all patients diagnosed with TTS, initially retrospectively and subsequently prospectively. Short- and medium-term clinical complications and mortality were assessed. Independent predictors of in-hospital complications and prognostic factors were determined.

RESULTS: A total of 234 patients (210 female, age 68±12 years) were included. During hospitalization, 32.9% of patients had complications: acute heart failure (24.4%), atrial fibrillation (9.0%), ventricular arrhythmias (2.6%), complete atrioventricular block (2.1%), stroke/transient ischemic attack (1.7%), and LV thrombus (1.3%). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p=0.02), coronary artery disease (CAD) (p=0.027), lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF) on admission (p=0.003), and dyspnea at presentation (p=0.019) were predictors of in-hospital complications. In-hospital mortality was 2.2%. At the mean follow-up of 33±33 months, all-cause mortality was 4.4%, cardiovascular mortality was 0.9% and TTS recurrence was 4.4%. Prolonged QTc interval on admission was associated with complications in follow-up (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: TTS has a good short- and medium-term prognosis. However, the rate of in-hospital complications is high and should not be overlooked. Dyspnea at presentation, CKD, CAD and lower LVEF on admission were independent predictors of in-hospital complications. Prolonged QTc on admission was associated with complications in follow-up.