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Document Details : Title: Dynamic changes of repolarization abnormalities in takotsubo cardiomyopathy Author(s): G. Mugnai , F. Vassanelli , G. Pasqualin , G. Benfari , M. Rebonato , G. Pesarini , L. Zanolla , G. Menegatti , C. Vassanelli Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 70    Issue: 2   Date: 2015    Pages: 225-232 DOI: 10.2143/AC.70.2.3073515 Abstract : Objective: This study analyses dynamic changes in dispersion of ventricular repolarization over the time course of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), and their relationships with clinical features and life-threatening arrhythmias. Methods and results: All consecutive patients admitted to our division between January 2008 and December 2011 with a diagnosis of TC were analysed. Patients with prior myocardial infarction, symptoms-onset-to-admission time greater than 12 hours, an implanted pacemaker, or under treatment with drugs affecting QT interval, were excluded. Standard 12-lead ECG recordings during the acute, subacute and chronic phases were collected for each patient. Twenty-four patients (23 women, 63 ± 14 years) were included in our analysis. Only one patient experienced ventricular arrhythmias (4.2%). Significant increases were observed in QT and QTc intervals (from 420 ± 423 to 505 ± 66 ms, P < 0.00001, and from 479 ± 33 to 551 ± 51 ms, P < 0.00001, respectively), QT dispersion (from 59 ± 18 to 100 ± 44 ms, P = 0.0006), Tpeak-to-Tend (from 82 ± 20 to 123 ± 39 ms, P = 0.00006) and Tpeak-to-Tend/QT (from 0.20 ± 0.33 to 0.26 ± 0.57, P = 0.0003) during the subacute phase. All these parameters returned to baseline values in the chronic phase and did not show any significant differences between the acute and chronic phases. Conclusions: A marked increase in QTc, QT dispersion, Tpeak-to-Tend and Tpeak-to-Tend/QT was observed during the subacute phase; this increase was transient and reverted in all patients before hospital discharge. Of note, these findings were not associated with an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.