Tako-tsubo Syndrome in Men: Rare, but With Poor Prognosis

• Published in: Revista española de cardiología (English ed.) 2018-09, Vol.71 (9), p.703-708
• Main Authors: Pérez-Castellanos, Alberto, Martínez-Sellés, Manuel, Mejía-Rentería, Hernán, Andrés, Mireia, Sionis, Alessandro, Almendro-Delia, Manuel, Martín-García, Ana, Aguilera, María Cruz, Pereyra, Eduardo, Linares Vicente, José A, García de la Villa, Bernardo, Núñez-Gil, Iván J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular; Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 1885-5857; 1885-5857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rec.2017.07.021

Abstract Introduction and objectives Tako-tsubo syndrome is a potentially serious disease during the acute phase. It mimics myocardial infarction, but with no potentially causative coronary lesions. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcome of patients with tako-tsubo syndrome by sex. Methods We analyzed the characteristics of patients included in the RETAKO registry from 2003 to 2015, a multicenter registry with participation of 32 Spanish hospitals. Results Of 562 patients included, 493 (87.7%) were women. Chest pain was less frequent as an initial symptom in men than in women (43 [66.2%] vs 390 [82.8%]; P < .01). The prognosis was worse in men, with higher in-hospital mortality (3 [4.4%] vs 1 [0.2%]; P < .01), longer intensive care stay (4.2 ± 3.7 vs 3.2 ± 3.2 days; P = .03) and a higher frequency of severe heart failure (22 [33.3%] vs 95 [20.3%]; P = .02). However, dynamic obstruction at the left-ventricular outflow tract occurred exclusively in women (39 [7.9%] vs 0 [0.0%]; P = .02). The incidence of functional mitral regurgitation was also higher in women (52 [10.6%] vs 2 [2.9%]; P = .04). Conclusions Tako-tsubo syndrome shows wide differences by sex in terms of its incidence, presentation, and outcomes. Prognosis is worse in men.