Pregnancy-Associated Takotsubo Syndrome: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a clinical syndrome defined most typically by transient systolic dysfunction and dilatation of the apex of the left ventricle or other regional areas in the documented absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Although more commonly presented in postmenopausal women, there are reports in the literature of TTS during the peripartum and postpartum periods. Early TTS diagnosis in pregnancy is of great importance in improving both maternal and fetal mortality. Although TTS involves many pathogenetic pathways, the imbalance between declining estrogen and arising sympathetic nervous system tone plays an important role. This review aims to provide recent published evidence of TTS in pregnancy and delve into the epidemiology of TTS in pregnancy, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, the prognosis of TTS for the mother and the fetus, and its therapeutic multi-disciplinary management.