Introduction
Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is a relatively reversible heart condition
characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, apical ballooning
with abnormally elevated cardiac biomarkers and ECG changes in the
absence of any obstructive coronary artery disease [1]. The precise
cause of this cardiomyopathy is not known but possible explanations
include catecholamine surge during stress, ischemia-mediated stunning of
the myocardium due to microvascular spasm, and myocarditis [2, 3].
The TTS has been one of the well-known complications following
subarachnoid hemorrhage, occurring due to increased catecholamine
release following intracranial hemorrhage [4, 5]. The overall
prognosis of TTS most of the time is favorable, however, certain
clinical conditions carry higher risk and may have poorer outcomes
[6]. Therefore, recognition and management of such clinical
conditions that might predispose the patients to TTS is of utmost
importance and should be an integral part of the management [3].
With the rising prevalence of TTS in various clinical conditions,
multiple studies have reported TTS trends and outcomes in various
neurological and non-neurological clinical conditions [7-10]. The
acute cerebral events including acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are
associated with catecholamine surge and hence, can lead to TTS. However,
limited data exist on the prevalence and outcomes of TTS in AIS. This
study aims at evaluating the US nationwide estimate of the burden and
the differences in the outcomes of TTS and non-TTS in the inpatient AIS
population.