Is there inflammation in the heart follow an episode of “broken heart” syndrome?
Acute stress-induced (Tako-tsubo or “broken heart” syndrome) cardiomyopathy presents like a heart attack but surprisingly, the heart arteries appear free of any blockages. Although most patients recover, there can be serious complications in the early phase - and the risk of death is similar to that of a heart attack. After the acute episode, many patients continue to have persisting symptoms. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this condition lags behind that of other cardiovascular disorders and consequently no treatment exists for acute attacks or to prevent recurrences. We have discovered that Tako-tsubo syndrome is characterised by sustained inflammation in the heart but we are only beginning to understand this response and its ultimate effect on heart function in this disease.
Funded by British Heart Foundation
Team members:
Dr Heather Wilson (Research scientist, University of Aberdeen)
Dr Paul Broadhurst (Cardiologist, NHS Grampian)
Dr Anke Henning (Max Planck Institute, Tubingen)