Novel ECG-based scoring tool for prediction of takotsubo syndrome

ECG as a risk stratification tool in patients with wearable cardioverter-defibrillator

BACKGROUND

The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is increasingly used in patients at elevated risk for ventricular arrhythmias but not fulfilling the indications for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Currently, there is an insufficient risk prediction of fatal arrhythmias in patients at risk. In this study, we assessed the prognostic role of baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) in WCD patients.

METHODS

WCD patients from diverse clinical institutions in Germany (n = 227) were retrospectively enrolled and investigated for the incidences of death or ventricular arrhythmias during WCD wearing. In addition, the widely accepted ECG predictors of adverse outcome were analyzed in patients with arrhythmic events.

RESULTS

Life-threatening arrhythmias occurred in 22 (9.7 %) patients, mostly in subjects with ischemic heart disease (15 of 22). There was no difference in baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in subjects with and without arrhythmic events (31.3 ± 7.9 % vs. 32.6 ± 8.3 %; p = 0,24). Patients with arrhythmia exhibited significantly longer QRS duration (109.5 ± 23.1 ms vs. 100.6 ± 22.3 ms, p = 0,04), Tpeak-Tend (Tp-e) (103.1 ± 15.6 ms vs. 93.2 ± 19.2 ms, p = 0,01) and QTc (475.0 ± 60.0 ms vs. 429.6 ± 59.4 ms, p < 0,001) intervals. In contrast, no significant differences were found for incidences of fragmented QRS (27.3 % vs. 24 %, p = 0.79) and inverted/biphasic T-waves (16.6 % vs. 22.7 %, p = 0,55). In multivariate regression analysis both Tp-e (HR 1.03; 95 % CI 1.001-1.057; p = 0.02) and QTc (HR 1.02; 95 % CI 1.006-1.026; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of ventricular arrhythmias. After WCD use, the prophylactic ICD was indicated in 76 patients (33 %) with uneventful clinical course but persistent LVEF ≤35 %. The ECG analysis in these subjects did not reveal any relevant changes in arrhythmogenesis markers.

CONCLUSIONS

ECG repolarization markers Tp-e and QTc are associated with malignant arrhythmias in WCD patients and may be used - in addition to other established risk markers - to identify appropriate patients for ICD implantation.

ECG differences and ECG predictors in patients presenting with ST segment elevation due to myocardial infarction versus takotsubo syndrome

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Takotsubo syndrome and myocardial infarction can present with ST segment elevation.

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ECG in Takotsubo resembles left anterior descending artery myocardial infarction.

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Ventricular arrhythmia or death occur in both Takotsubo and myocardial infarction.

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ST segment changes predict ventricular arrhythmia or death in myocardial infarction.

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ST segment changes do not predict ventricular arrhythmia in Takotsubo syndrome.

Background

Previous studies comparing electrocardiogram (ECG) in Takotsubo syndrome (TS) versus ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) included TS patients without ST elevation, did not consider the culprit lesion in STEMI or had groups that were unbalanced regarding sex and age. Accounting for these factors, we sought to conduct a more reliable comparison of ECG in TS with ST-elevation (STE-TS) versus STEMI. The secondary aim was to investigate if ST segment changes, T wave inversion or prolonged QT interval predicted ventricular arrhythmia or death in STE-TS and STEMI.

Methods

All STE-TS patients who presented at Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 2008 and 2019 were matched by sex and age to STEMI patients. STEMI patients were subcategorized according to whether or not the culprit lesion was located in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Baseline characteristics, in‐hospital outcomes and admission ECGs were analyzed.

Results

104 STE-TS patients were sex- and age-matched with 274 STEMI patients (113 LAD-STEMI, 161 non-LAD STEMI). Admission ECG in STE-TS was more similar to LAD STEMI than non-LAD STEMI. Reciprocal ST depression was less common in STE-TS (7/104, 6.7%) compared with STEMI (112/274, 41%; p= < 0.001). The sum of all ST elevations and the sum of all ST-deviations predicted life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (LTVA) or death in LAD STEMI but not in STE-TS.

Conclusions

In conclusion, admission ECG in STE-TS was similar to LAD STEMI but reciprocal ST depression was less common in STE-TS compared with STEMI overall. ST segment changes predicted LTVA or death in STEMI but not in STE-TS.

Typical dynamic electrocardiographic changes in Takotsubo syndrome

AIMS

Negative T waves and QTc prolongation often occur in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. Description of typical electrocardiographic changes could be a diagnosis element of this syndrome. This study aimed to clarify on the one hand the more preciously possible the typical electrocardiographic changes, and on the other hand, the timing of occurrence of these abnormalities compared to the trigger occurrence, the symptoms onset and the hospital admission.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied ECGs at admission of 59 patients with Takotsubo syndrome, a 'reference' ECG and each one available during the first five days after admission.We observed significant changes on the pathological ECG compared to reference ECG: the mean number of leads with negative T waves (7.4 ± 1.9 mm vs 2.1 ± 1.4 mm, p < 0.0001), the highest value of negative T wave deflection among all the leads (-6.2 ± 4mm vs -1.4 ± 0.9 mm, p < 0.0001), the sum of all negative T waves (-27 ± 1.7 mm vs -2.8 ± 3.6 mm, p < 0.0001 and a QTc max and QTc mean prolongation (539 ± 63ms vs 457 ± 42ms, p < 0.0001 and 491 ± 52ms vs 421 ± 33ms, p < 0.0001 respectively). We also demonstrated that T waves were significantly more positive in pathological ECG in aVR and V1 compared to the reference one (mean value of T waves respectively of 1.8 ± 1.8 vs -1 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001 and 0.7 ± 1.6 vs 0.004 ± 1.2, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

The QTc prolongation, the profound negative T waves except in aVR and V1 occurring the first two days after admission are electrocardiographic changes typically of Takotsubo syndrome.

Clinical and electrocardiographic features of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA)

AIMS

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is often an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and ECG characteristics of MINOCA in a large cohort of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS

All coronary angiograms performed at the University Heart Center in Zurich (Switzerland) between 2012 and 2016 were investigated. MINOCA was defined according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines and patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of coronary sclerosis at angiogram[nonobstructive coronary artery disease (noCAD) and normal coronary arteries (NCA)]), after exclusion of myocarditis and Takotsubo syndrome.

RESULTS

Out of 13 669 angiographic studies, 3695 were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome; of these, 244 patients presented MINOCA (6.6%). Patients with noCAD were more likely to be older (67.9 vs. 59.2 years, P < 0.001) with higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension 64.1 vs. 41.2%, P = 0.002; diabetes 19.7 vs. 10.8%, P = 0.036; hypercholesterolemia 36.6 vs. 23.5%, P = 0.037). On surface ECG, anterior ST- segment elevation was more frequent in NCA patients (13.7 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.016). Secondary prevention therapy was significantly more prescribed in noCAD compared with NCA patients (acetylsalicylic acid 68.3 vs. 21.6%, P less than 0.001; statins 76.1 vs. 22.5%, P less than 0.001; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-AT1 blockers 51.4 vs. 31.3%, P = 0.006). One-year mortality was very low (0.4% for noCAD patients).

CONCLUSION

noCAD patients were older, with higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and more frequently discharged with secondary prevention therapy. NCA patients presented more frequently anterior ST- segment elevation. Further diagnostic tests should be highly recommended to determine the underlying mechanism of MINOCA.

Electrocardiographic changes in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TC) is a syndrome characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the presence of possible emotional or physical triggers but without evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. It has become increasingly reported worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. TC may present with an array of electrocardiographic (ECG) findings. These ECG findings, if accurately interpreted, can play an important role in the diagnosis and risk stratification of this syndrome. In the last three decades since the disease was first described, multiple diagnostic criteria have been established. The key diagnostic tools for TC include clinical symptomatology, cardiac biomarkers, non-invasive cardiac imaging, and coronary angiography. The ECG findings in TC can be variable, however, some ECG scores have been proposed in association with TC with reasonably good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. This article aims to provide a succinct review of important electrocardiographic findings associated with TC and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome is an acute cardiomyopathy that mimics acute coronary syndrome and is characterized by acute heart failure with reversible ventricular motion abnormalities, in the absence of justifying coronary artery disease. This document offers an exhaustive review of various proposed hypotheses that attempt to explain the pathophysiology of this disease and provides an updated review of the different classifications that have emerged in recent years. In addition, we describe the main clinical characteristics of these patients, the diagnostic tests that must be performed and the most appropriate treatment.

Functional neuroimaging in the acute phase of Takotsubo syndrome: volumetric and functional changes of the right insular cortex

Background

A brain–heart interaction has been proposed in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Structural changes in the limbic system and hypoconnectivity between certain brain areas in the chronic phase of the disease have been reported, but little is known concerning functional neuroimaging in the acute phase. We hypothesized anatomical and functional changes in the central nervous system and investigated whole-brain volumetric and functional connectivity alterations in the acute phase TTS patients compared to controls.

Methods

Anatomical and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed in postmenopausal females: thirteen in the acute TTS phase and thirteen healthy controls without evidence of coronary artery disease. Voxel-based morphometry and graph theoretical analysis were applied to identify anatomical and functional differences between patients and controls.

Results

Significantly lower gray matter volumes were found in TTS patients in the right middle frontal gyrus (p = 0.004) and right subcallosal cortex (p = 0.009) compared to healthy controls. When lower threshold was applied, volumetric changes were noted in the right insular cortex (p = 0.0113), the right paracingulate cortex (p = 0.012), left amygdala (p = 0.018), left central opercular cortex (p = 0.017), right (p = 0.013) and left thalamus (p = 0.017), and left cerebral cortex (p = 0.017). Graph analysis revealed significantly (p < 0.01) lower functional connectivity in TTS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly in the connections originating from the right insular cortex, temporal lobes, and precuneus.

Conclusion

In the acute phase of TTS volumetric changes in frontal regions and the central autonomic network (i.e. insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala) were noted. In particular, the right insula, associated with sympathetic autonomic tone, had both volumetric and functional changes.

Graphic abstract

Polyhedral erythrocytes in intracoronary thrombus and their association with reperfusion in myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

The tightly packed arrays of polyhedral erythrocytes, polyhedrocytes, formed during thrombus contraction, have been detected in some intracoronary thrombi (ICT) obtained from patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to investigate determinants of polyhedrocyte content in ICT and its association with reperfusion in STEMI.

METHODS

We assessed the composition of ICT obtained during thrombectomy within 12 h since the symptom onset in 110 STEMI patients, following 300 mg of aspirin (n = 110) and 600 mg of clopidogrel (n = 75). The predominance of fibrin, erythrocytes, polyhedrocytes or platelets was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Polyhedrocytes were found in 34 (30.9%) ICT, in which they covered 20-50% (median 38.8%) fields of view. Patients with polyhedrocytes in ICT had lower median minimal reference infarct-related artery (IRA) diameter by 20% (p < 0.0001) and area by 31% (p < 0.0001) versus those without polyhedrocytes. Time of ischemia showed association with the polyhedrocyte content (r = 0.26, p = 0.007). By multivariate analysis, minimal IRA diameter (β = - 0.50, p < 0.0001) and ischemia time (β = 0.20, p = 0.035) independently affected polyhedrocyte content in ICT (R² = 0.45, p < 0.0001). Patients with ischemia time of > 3 h and polyhedrocytes present in ICT had more frequently TIMI-2/3 flow after thrombus aspiration (96% vs. 67%, p = 0.02) and final TIMI-2/3 myocardial perfusion grade (92% vs. 57%, p = 0.044) versus those without polyhedrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the presence of polyhedrocytes in ICT, observed in one-third of STEMI patients, is associated with smaller minimal IRA diameter, prolonged ischemia and their formation in late presenters is associated with more effective thrombus aspiration and better myocardial reperfusion.