Takotsubo Syndrome and Cancer: Pathophysiological Links and Clinical Perspectives

TL;DR

This paper explores how cancer and its treatments can cause Takotsubo syndrome, a heart condition that mimics a heart attack, and discusses ways to prevent and treat it in cancer patients.

Contribution

The paper provides a clinical review of the pathophysiological connections between cancer and Takotsubo syndrome and suggests strategies for prevention and treatment.

Findings

Cancer and its treatments can directly or indirectly trigger Takotsubo syndrome.

Several antineoplastic drugs are linked to an increased risk of developing Takotsubo syndrome.

The paper highlights the need for preventive and therapeutic strategies in cancer patients to manage this condition.

Abstract

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute, reversible cardiomyopathy that clinically mimics acute coronary syndrome in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In oncology, TTS may be precipitated by the cancer milieu itself (stress, inflammation, neuroendocrine activation) and by antineoplastic therapies, notably fluoropyrimidines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer currently stands as the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cancer can directly induce TTS through an increase in catecholamines or indirectly via surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments. Several antineoplastic drugs are associated with an increased risk of TTS. We conducted a narrative, clinically oriented review. This narrative review aims to analyze the pathophysiological link between TTS and cancer and to explore potential preventive and therapeutic strategies in cancer patients.

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