IMR Press / RCM / Volume 24 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2406177
Open Access Review
Diagnosis and Management of Takotsubo Syndrome in Acute Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Comprehensive Review
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1 Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
2 ELKH-DE Cerebrovascular Research Group, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
3 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
*Correspondence: csmolnar@med.unideb.hu (Csilla Molnár)
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2023, 24(6), 177; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2406177
Submitted: 31 March 2023 | Revised: 20 April 2023 | Accepted: 4 May 2023 | Published: 19 June 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.

This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Abstract

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is a frequent complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), especially in massive SAH with severe neurological damage. The initial presentation of TS is similar to acute coronary syndrome, causing differential diagnostic issues. Unnecessary diagnostic steps and uncertainty in therapy may delay the definitive treatment of the aneurysm, therefore increasing the risk of rebleeding. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest knowledge on the diagnosis and therapy of TS in SAH and to provide a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for the acute phase, promoting the early definitive treatment of the aneurysm. Rapid hemodynamic stabilization and early aneurysm securing are key points in reducing the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia and improving outcomes. In acute SAH noninvasive bedside diagnostic methods are preferred and securing the aneurysm is the priority. The combination of electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiography is of great importance in differentiating TS from acute myocardial infarction. The risk-benefit ratio of coronary angiography should be carefully and individually considered and its use should be limited to patients with strong evidence of myocardial ischemia, after the successful endovascular treatment of the aneurysm. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring may be beneficial in cases of cardiogenic shock or pulmonary edema. In patients with hemodynamical instability secondary to TS, the use of non-catecholamine inotropes, especially levosimendan is recommended. In refractory hypotension, mechanical support should be considered. The left ventricular function improves within days to months after the acute event, low initial ejection fraction may predispose to delayed recovery.

Keywords
Takotsubo syndrome
subarachnoid hemorrhage
neurogenic stunned myocardium
delayed cerebral ischemia
intracranial aneurysm treatment
Funding
TKCS-2021/60/Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Figures
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