The clinical course of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) can be complicated by several life-threatening conditions. 1 In particular, cardiogenic shock (CS) represents one of the leading causes of mortality in the acute phase and occurs in a considerable number of patients with TTS, with an incidence of ALMOST EQUAL TO10%. 2,3 At present, no established guidelines are available to support specific treatment recommendations,and the conventional therapy for CS leads to uncertain results in TTS cases. 4 The International Takotsubo Registry (www.takotsubo-registry.com) is an observational, prospective, and retrospective registry established at the University Hospital Zurich in 2011, with the largest TTS database worldwide. Patients were included in the registry between 2011 and 2017 based on modified Mayo Clinic Diagnostic criteria. 1,5 Hospitalization data were recorded through standardized forms on admission or during revision of clinical charts; follow-up data were obtained from medical records, telephone follow-up, or clinical visits. 1 The study population was categorized into 2 groups: patients with TTS with and without CS.
The study protocol was reviewed by the respective local ethics committees or investigational review boards at each collaboration site. Where informed consent was required, formal written consent was obtained from patients.