Background: Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy has been gradually recognized worldwide. However, medications for the prevention remain not to be investigated in part because the precise mechanism is unclear. We sought to examine medications before the onset of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, and to prove the limitation of these medications for the prevention.
Methods and results: This study consisted of 21 patients with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy who received one or more medications for hypertension or suspected angina pectoris. Each patient was assessed with history, medications, coronary angiography and left ventriculography. All patients but 1 were female, and age ranged 41 to 87 years (73+/-11 years). Twelve patients received calcium channel blockers, 7 patients received nitrates, and one patient received beta blocker. Three patients received angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibitors, and 4 patients received angiotensin II receptor blockers. One patient died of serious pneumonia, but there was no patient who died of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy itself. During the 3 year follow-up, one patient receiving angiotensin receptor blocker had the recurrence of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy due to recurrent epileptic seizure.
Conclusions: Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy can occur despite treatment with calcium channel blockers, nitrates or beta-blockers, suggesting limitation of these medications to prevent tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.