Are there differences between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and neurogenic stunned myocardium? A prospective observational study

Many similarities have been noted between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) and neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM): both exhibit characteristic echocardiographic/electrocardiographic findings, and sympathetic over-activity is implicated as a common etiological mechanism [ 1 Pilgrim T.M. Wyss T.R. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome: A systematic review. Int J Cardiol. 2008; 124: 283-292 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (391) Google Scholar , 2 Bielecka-Dabrowa A. Mikhailidis D.P. Hannam S. et al. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: the current state of knowledge. Int J Cardiol. 2010; 142: 120-125 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (69) Google Scholar ]. In this single-center, prospective observational study, we aimed to clarify the potential differences between TCM and NSM by comparing their neurochemical, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic profiles.