Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: An Echo of a Broken Heart

Diagnosing Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy

How It All Began…

In the early 1990s, Japanese researchers noticed a peculiar pattern in a handful of patients who arrived at hospitals with symptoms that mimicked a heart attack—chest pain, shortness of breath, and ECG changes—but when coronary angiography was done, their arteries were completely normal.

Instead of blocked vessels, what they saw on ventriculography was striking: the left ventricle was ballooned at the apex, while the base contracted normally. The shape resembled a "takotsubo"—a traditional Japanese octopus trap with a narrow neck and wide round bottom.

In 1991, Dr. Hikaru Sato and his team in Hiroshima coined the term "Takotsubo cardiomyopathy" to describe this reversible, stress-induced condition. The connection to emotional or physical stress led it to later be dubbed "Broken Heart Syndrome" in popular media. He was a pioneer in this discovery, with echocardiography playing a key role in identifying the unique regional wall motion patterns.

Every echocardiogram tells a story
Sometimes, it's an echo-free space around the pericardium. Other times, it’s an intimal flap, a rescue, a race against time.
Welcome to our international echo community, where real cases, real data, and actionable scanning tips empower you to become a leader in your echo lab—and a trusted expert in critical moments.