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The Broken Heart Study II (BHS-II)

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Interventions
Other: Stress reactivity test
Registration Number
NCT04325321
Lead Sponsor
The Miriam Hospital
Brief Summary

The goals of this study are as follows:

1. To rigorously establish and characterize heterogeneity in the pathophysiology of Takotsubo Syndrome (TS).

2. To rigorously test the contribution of TS triggering events and mental stress responsiveness to 1-year prognosis after TS event.

Detailed Description

Newly admitted patients with a validated diagnosis of Takotsubo Syndrome (TS; n=106) will be enrolled from 3 large medical centers in the Providence, Rhode Island area. Between 2 and 4 weeks after discharge, clinically stable patients will undergo an in-person comprehensive interview to identify the events proximal to the onset of TS symptoms, complete a battery of psychosocial questionnaires and undergo a validated laboratory stress protocol. Baseline and reactive changes in measures of autonomic nervous system activity (epinephrine and norepinephrine - primary outcome), and in the secondary outcomes of cardiac vagal control and left ventricular function (ejection fraction; regional and global longitudinal strain assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography) will be assessed. Echocardiographic evaluations will be repeated 12 months thereafter together with information on major adverse cerebrovascular events.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
66
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age >=18
  • A new diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome fulfilling Mayo Clinic criteria
  • Ability to understand and speak English
Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability or unwillingness to give informed consent
  • Severe cognitive impairment
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Acute psychosis
  • High suicidal risk
  • Pregnancy
  • Poor echocardiographic window
  • Conditions that would interfere with adherence to study requirements (e.g., ongoing alcohol or substance abuse)
  • If the participant is clinically unstable

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Stress reactivityStress reactivity testStress reactivity test
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean change (in pg/mL) in plasma epinephrine levelsUp to 4 weeks

Blood samples for plasma epinephrine are collected 10-min into Baseline, 10-min into Emotion Recall, and 18 minutes into Recovery Phase. Change will be calculated by subtracting Baseline epinephrine levels from Emotion Recall levels.

Mean change (in pg/mL) in plasma norepinephrine levelsUp to 4 weeks

Blood samples for plasma norepinephrine are collected 10-min into Baseline, 10-min into Emotion Recall, and 18 minutes into Recovery Phase. Change will be calculated by subtracting Baseline epinephrine levels from Emotion Recall norepinephrine levels.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Average Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS)12 months

Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) will be assessed using off-line analysis software (TomTec imaging systems). GLS will be calculated as the average left ventricular longitudinal strain across the segments obtained using apical two, three, and four-chamber views. Because myocardial contraction results in left ventricular shortening in systole, GLS is a negative value.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (%)12 months

A trans-thoracic echocardiogram will be performed with computation of ejection fraction according to current guidelines.

Change in high frequency power heart rate variability (hf-HRV) in Ln msec (square)Up to 4 weeks

High frequency power heart rate variability (hf-HRV) will be determined by averaging high frequency values for 4-min segments within each phase (Baseline, Emotion Recall), and change will be calculated (Emotion Recall minus Baseline). Data will be collected using a Digital Holter ECG Recorder - 5 Lead, 2 Channel.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Miriam Hospital

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

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