Key Summary
- A group of scientists are finding treatment for patients suffering from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome.
- The condition can be triggered by sudden emotional stress or the death of someone close.
- It is estimated to affect more than 5,000 people in the UK each year.
A trial is being conducted by the University of Aberdeen, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), to find a treatment for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome.
Often mistaken for a heart attack, takotsubo syndrome is usually linked to severe emotional stress, such as grief after losing a loved one.
The seven-year study is being led by the University of Aberdeen, with scientists and clinicians contributing from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester and Belfast.
Nearly 1,000 patients with takotsubo syndrome from 40 hospitals across the UK will take part.
The condition is said to affect more than 5,000 people in the UK annually, with many more cases reported worldwide. In about one in ten patients, the first episode can be life-threatening.
Even after the initial event, patients may face a longer-term risk of death or other serious health complications. Researchers say the after effects can resemble those of a heart attack.
Despite the seriousness of the condition, no dedicated treatment has yet been available.
The study by the university will test the efficacy of 'renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors on the patients.
Professor Dana Dawson, Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and Consultant Cardiologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, who is leading the trial, said the study aims to enable takotsubo patients to live a full and healthy life.
Professor Anthony Gordon, Director of NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme, which is funding the trial, said that this study is the first of its kind aiming to find a specific treatment and long-term healthcare for this long-term condition.
The investigators are working towards extending the study in Australia through collaborations with colleagues from Perth and Adelaide.
