Correlation between takotsubo cardiomyopathy and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Med Hypotheses. 2021 Jan:146:110454. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110454. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTS), known as stress cardiomyopathy, is a rare disorder characterized by acute and transient left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, often associated with a stressful, emotional or physical event. TTS may be closely related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ongoing pandemic. The enormous emotional stress caused by the pandemic and respiratory infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 could be potential triggers for TTS. The case series cited above implicates that TTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis across the entire spectrum of myocardial injury in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Myocardial damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is usually attributed to sepsis, hypoxemia, coronary artery disease, and myocarditis. We hypothesize that TTS may also play a role among these lesions.

Keywords: COVID-19; Kawasaki disease; SARS-CoV-2; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Toxic shock syndrome.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Pandemics*
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / etiology*
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / physiopathology
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / psychology