Dear Colleagues,

 

TakoTsubo Syndrome (TTS) is an acute cardiac syndrome with heart failure features that poses important differential diagnostic questions with acute coronary syndrome. Though its classical form is known for the typical pattern of left ventricular apical ballooning, diverse wall motion abnormalities causing atypical presentations of ballooning can be observed in both ventricles. TTS is frequently triggered by physical or emotional stress and predominantly affects postmenopausal women. Importantly, complete recovery of systolic function is expected, as imaging techniques demonstrate absence of irreversible myocardial damage. However, observational studies carried out over the last 20 years and shedding light about epidemiology and clinical features have underscored unexpected prognostic implications of the disease. Patients with TTS exhibit a substantial risk of adverse events and even mortality and should be considered a vulnerable population. Pathophysiology of TTS remains largely elusive and to deeply understand mechanisms of the disease is essential to pave the way to specific treatments aimed at improving prognosis and, especially, prevent recurrences.

The present Special Issue is aimed at presenting what is known, what is the most recent evidence and what remains to be understood in the field of TTS. Therefore, submission of original research papers and review articles dealing with the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of TTS is eagerly welcome.

 

Assistant Professor Giuseppe Andò

Guest Editor