Stress-Related Cardiomyopathy Syndromes

T he relationship between the heart and the brain is complex and integral in the maintenance of normal cardiovascular function.Certain pathological conditions can interfere with the normal brain-heart regulatory mechanisms and result in impaired cardiovascular function.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The stress-related cardiomyopathies appear similar in that they seemingly occur during times of enhanced sympathetic tone and may be precipitated in part or entirely by excessive endogenous or exogenous catecholamine stimulation of the myocardium.Although significant clinical overlap exists in those presenting with stress-associated cardiomyopathy, it is unclear whether myocardial adrenergic hyperstimulation is the only pathophysiological mechanism responsible for these syndromes (Tables 1 and2).