Abstract

The role of insulin and glucose handling in takotsubo syndrome

Author(s): Maximilian Joos, Johannes Backs, Norbert Frey, Bastian Bruns

Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS), also known as stress-cardiomyopathy or broken-heart syndrome, is an acute heart failure condition typically triggered by severe stress. Patients present with symptoms resembling acute myocardial infarction but without coronary artery obstruction. Evidence from animal and human studies suggests that impaired glucose handling and transient insulin resistance are key elements in TTS, with significant implications for cardiac function. Here we aim to accentuate the importance of glucose metabolism in both acute and long-term TTS outcome, suggesting that modulating glucose uptake and overcoming insulin resistance may be a crucial therapeutic strategy.