Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTS) is characterized by acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction showing typical left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) provides functional and inflammatory findings in contrast with the absence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). TTS generally heals within the first two weeks after the onset of symptoms, with the ECG and echocardiogram normalizing. However, data on CMR dynamics are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to describe how CMR findings change over time in acute TTS.

Between December 2008 and May 2021, we retrospectively included all the patients hospitalized in the tertiary University Hospital of Angers, France who underwent CMR and received a diagnosis of acute TTS.

Sixty-two patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria from the 2018 ESC international expert consensus and underwent CMR. Patients were classified into three groups based on the delay between their first day of hospitalization and their assessment using CMR: less than five days (n=31, 50%), between 5 and 15 days (n=16, 25.8%), and more than 15 days [median 27 days (IQR: 20–36)] (n=15, 24.2%). Compared to the 0–5 d group, the patients in the >15 d group showed resolution of the LVEF alterations (55.9±10.7 vs. 44.8±13.3, P=0.07), less apical akinesia (40% vs. 83%, P=0.01) and normalized apical T2 values (44.5±3.5 vs. 57±2, P=0.049). T1 and T2 quantitative measurements showed a base-to-apex gradient in 88.2% and 85.7% of patients, irrespective of the delay (P=0.12 and P=0.88).

When CMR cannot be performed early after the onset of a suspected TTS, wall motion abnormalities disappear, and LVEF alteration resolve. However, a parametric assessment searching for a base-to-apex gradient in T1 and T2 values with higher apical values may be helpful to confirm the diagnosis. Main CMR findings at different time points (Figure 1).