Takotsubo Syndrome and COVID-19: Associations and Implications

Incidence of cardiovascular complications has increased during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, both population-wide and in patients diagnosed with the disease. This increase has presented complications in patient care, leading to increased hospitalizations, adverse outcomes, and medical costs. A condition of interest is takotsubo syndrome, which may be associated with the novel coronavirus. To understand this connection, a narrative review was performed by analyzing primary studies and case reports available. The findings showed increased incidence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in both the general population and COVID-19 patients. Proposed mechanisms for the linkage include generalized increases in psychological distress, the cytokine storm, increased sympathetic responses in COVID-19 patients, and microvascular dysfunction. Moreover, natural disasters are noted as likely being associated with increases of takotsubo syndrome. As the pandemic continues, treating COVID-19 as a systemic condition is imperative, with the increase in takotsubo syndrome marking a significant impact of the novel coronavirus.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular complications, leading to higher hospitalizations, adverse outcomes, and medical costs. Studies have shown a rise in takotsubo cardiomyopathy in both the general population and COVID-19 patients, with proposed mechanisms including increased psychological distress, cytokine storms, heightened sympathetic responses, and microvascular dysfunction. As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to treat COVID-19 as a systemic condition, with takotsubo syndrome representing a significant impact of the novel coronavirus.