Traumatic Events, Personality and Psychopathology in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2020 Jan 11

PMID 31920800

Citations 10

Authors

Federica Galli

Francesca Bursi

Stefano Carugo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient heart disease that has been historically related to the occurrence of psychological (emotional) factors ("broken heart" syndrome). We aimed to conduct a systematic review analyzing the role of psychological factors in TTS.

Methods: All studies on TTS and psychological factors from January 1991 through April 2019 were scrutinized according to the Cochrane Collaboration and the PRISMA statements. Selected studies were additionally evaluated for the Risk of Bias according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results: Fifteen case-control studies (by Mayo Clinic criteria) were finally selected. Most studies analyzed stressful life-events or trauma, although with conflicting findings, while a likely role of long-lasting psychological distress seemed to be a homogenous result. Among life-time psychopathology, only anxiety appeared to have a significant role. Some studies outlined a likely role of personality, but findings are conflicting.

Conclusion: Our findings do not lead to any definitive assumption on the specific role of psychological factors in TTS, also for scant strong methodology of the most part of the studies. More studies with stronger research methodology are needed to better characterize psychological elements in TTS.

Citing Articles

Deciphering the Psychological Characteristics of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Casagrande M, Forte G, Favieri F, Mingarelli A, Agostini F, Arcari L J Pers Med. 2025; 15(1).

PMID: 39852199 PMC: 11767162. DOI: 10.3390/jpm15010006.

Smidt Heart Institute Takotsubo Registry - Study design and baseline characteristics.

Obrutu O, Maughan J, Tjoe B, Herscovici R, Moy P, Rojas N Am Heart J Plus. 2024; 13:100086.

PMID: 38560083 PMC: 10978169. DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2022.100086.

The heart-mind relationship in women cardiovascular primary prevention: the role of depression, anxiety, distress and Type-D personality in the 10-years cardiovascular risk evaluation.

Giuliani M, Santagostino Baldi G, Capra N, Bonomi A, Marzorati C, Sebri V Front Cardiovasc Med. 2024; 11:1308337.

PMID: 38516002 PMC: 10955135. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1308337.

Heart rate variability alterations in takotsubo syndrome and related association with psychological factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cruciani G, Cavicchioli M, Tanzilli G, Tanzilli A, Lingiardi V, Galli F Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):20744.

PMID: 38007581 PMC: 10676391. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47982-0.

Perceived Anxiety, Coping, and Autonomic Function in Takotsubo Syndrome Long after the Acute Event.

Lazzeroni D, Ciraci C, Sommaruga M, Oggioni C, Sacco M, Ziveri V Life (Basel). 2022; 12(9).

PMID: 36143412 PMC: 9502860. DOI: 10.3390/life12091376.

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