What is the Japanese name for broken heart syndrome, also known as Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy?

The Japanese Name for Broken Heart Syndrome

The Japanese name for broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) is "Takotsubo," which refers to a traditional Japanese octopus trap that resembles the shape of the left ventricle during this condition. 1

Origin and Meaning

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was first described in Japan in the early 1990s. The name "Takotsubo" was chosen because:

• The left ventricle during systole takes on a distinctive shape resembling a "tako-tsubo" (octopus trap)
• This traditional Japanese fishing pot has a round bottom and narrow neck
• The apical ballooning pattern of the left ventricle in this syndrome mimics this shape 1

Clinical Significance of the Name

The name reflects the characteristic imaging findings in the most common variant of this syndrome:

• Apical ballooning with hyperkinesis of the basal segments
• The apical portion of the left ventricle "balloons out" during systole
• This creates the distinctive octopus trap shape visible on echocardiography, ventriculography, or cardiac MRI 1

Variants of Takotsubo

While the classic form involves apical ballooning (hence the original Japanese name), several variants have been identified:

1. Apical type (typical/classic): Involves the apex and sometimes mid-ventricular wall
2. Midventricular type: Affects mid-ventricular segments, resembling a "cuff"
3. Basal type: Involves only basal segments (rare)
4. Focal type: Affects isolated anterolateral segments 1

Other Names for the Condition

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is also known by several other names:

• Broken heart syndrome
• Stress cardiomyopathy
• Apical ballooning syndrome
• Stress-induced cardiomyopathy 2, 3, 4

The term "broken heart syndrome" became popular because the condition often occurs following intense emotional stress, though physical stressors can also trigger it.

Clinical Importance

Despite its poetic name suggesting a benign condition, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can have serious complications:

• Acute heart failure (12-45%)
• Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (10-25%)
• Cardiogenic shock (6-20%)
• Arrhythmias including torsade de pointes
• Left ventricular thrombus formation 1

Understanding the etymology helps clinicians recognize the characteristic appearance on imaging that defines this important clinical entity.