Psychosocial Support for Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Takotsubo Support Group.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
The study hypothesis is that participants enrolled in a virtual Takotsubo support group will have significantly less anxiety at one year.
Detailed description
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, sometimes termed Takotsubo syndrome and "broken heart syndrome," typically presents with symptoms remarkably similar to acute myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack): debilitating chest pain, shortness of breath, and a feeling of doom, among others. Takotsubo was first identified in 1990 in Japan. Most cases occur in older women. During the acute phase, the heart spontaneously undergoes "apical ballooning," changing shape to resemble a "takotsubo," a Japanese octopus trap. In approximately two-thirds of cases, Takotsubo is precipitated by an intense emotional or physical "trigger." Typically, the heart spontaneously reverts to its previous shape within about a month. Initially, it was thought that recurrence was rare. However, more recently, recurrences have been reported in 3-15% of cases. Many patients experience a variety of debilitating cardiac and psychological symptoms long after the initial presentation. There is no known way to prevent a recurrent event and patients are typically anxious about the possibility.
Since its inception as a diagnosis, one of the hallmarks of Takotsubo has been the absence of coronary artery plaque. In a surprising finding from 2019, a study of more than 1,000 Takotsubo patients undergoing coronary angiography reported that approximately 1/3 of patients had clinically significant plaque in their coronary arteries; 1/3 had evidence of sub-clinical atherosclerosis; and 1/3 had "clean coronaries," with no observable plaque. Hence, much needs to be learned about this syndrome that may affect as many as 5% of women who have been diagnosed with acute MI. Takotsubo is typically an emotionally challenging and life altering event. Strategies for primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease will be discussed in the virtual group sessions.
Currently, there is no specialized intervention for patients diagnosed with Takotsubo Syndrome at Weill Cornell Medical Center, either in hospital or after discharge.
Interventions
- Behavioral Takotsubo Support Group
Participants will undergo virtual group therapy/education. Participants will meet once every other week (at minimum), for 1 - 1.5 hours (on average). The frequency and/or length of the support group sessions may be adjusted according to participants' needs.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in anxiety level as measured by the STAI. [Time frame: Baseline, One year]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Changes in depression as measured by the PHQ-8. [Time frame: Baseline, One year]
- Changes in quality of life as measured by the KCCQ. [Time frame: Baseline, One year]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
\- All patients with documented diagnosis of Takotsubo Syndrome greater than 18 years old.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients with a diagnosis of Takotsubo Syndrome already undergoing Psychotherapy or those who choose not to participate.
- Vulnerable populations such as prisoners, non-English speaking subjects, pregnant women, and subjects unable to provide written informed consent will not be included in this research.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Weill Cornell Medicine — New York
Publications
- Sato, H., et al. (1990) Takotsubo-type cardiomyopathy due to multivessel spasm. In: Kodama, K., Haze, K., Hon M, et al., Eds., Clinical Aspect of Myocardial Injury: From Ischemia to Heart Failure, Kagakuhyouronsha, Tpkyo, 56-64.
- Ghadri JR, Wittstein IS, Prasad A, Sharkey S, Dote K, Akashi YJ, Cammann VL, Crea F, Galiuto L, Desmet W, Yoshida T, Manfredini R, Eitel I, Kosuge M, Nef HM, Deshmukh A, Lerman A, Bossone E, Citro R, Ueyama T, Corrado D, Kurisu S, Ruschitzka F, Winchester D, Lyon AR, Omerovic E, Bax JJ, Meimoun P, Tarantini G, Rihal C, Y-Hassan S, Migliore F, Horowitz JD, Shimokawa H, Luscher TF, Templin C. Intern PMID 29850871
- Napp LC, Cammann VL, Jaguszewski M, Szawan KA, Wischnewsky M, Gili S, Knorr M, Heiner S, Citro R, Bossone E, D'Ascenzo F, Neuhaus M, Franke J, Sorici-Barb I, Noutsias M, Burgdorf C, Koenig W, Kherad B, Sarcon A, Rajan L, Michels G, Pfister R, Cuneo A, Jacobshagen C, Karakas M, Pott A, Meyer P, Arroja JD, Banning A, Cuculi F, Kobza R, Fischer TA, Vasankari T, Airaksinen KEJ, Hauck C, Paolini C, Bil PMID 32484517
Identifiers
NCT: NCT05977049 · 23-04025981