Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as "takotsubo syndrome," refers to transient apical ballooning syndrome, stress cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome and is a recently recognized syndrome typically characterized by transient and reversible left ventricular dysfunction that develops in the setting of acute severe emotional or physical stress. Increased catecholamine levels have been proposed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease, although the specific pathophysiology of this condition remains to be fully determined. At present, there have been very few reports of recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In this case report, we present a patient with multiple recurrences of takotsubo syndrome triggered by severe emotional stress that presented with recurrent loss of consciousness, QT prolongation, and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia () and left ventricular apical thrombus.

We investigated the effect of extra virgin (EV) olive oil and genetically modified (GM) soybean on DNA, cytogenicity and some antioxidant enzymes in rodents. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study and divided into four groups. The control group of rodents was fed basal ration only. The second group was given basal ration mixed with EV olive oil (30%). The third group was fed basal ration mixed with GM (15%), and the fourth group survived on a combination of EV olive oil, GM and the basal ration for 65 consecutive days. On day 65, blood samples were collected from each rat for antioxidant enzyme analysis. In the group fed on basal ration mixed with GM soyabean (15%), there was a significant increase in serum level of lipid peroxidation, while glutathione transferase decreased significantly. Interestingly, GM soyabean increased not only the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE), but also the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes (PEC/NEC); however, the amount of DNA and NCE were significantly decreased. Importantly, the combination of EV olive oil and GM soyabean significantly altered the tested parameters towards normal levels. This may suggest an important role for EV olive oil on rodents’ organs and warrants further investigation in humans.

1. This study examined the effect of an acute injection of contrast medium on generation of arrhythmias in diseased hearts in man.2. Subjects were 100 patients in sinus rhythm undergoing cardiac catheterization in whom good quality echocardiograms could be obtained. The subjects comprised 78 males and 22 females aged 37-83 years.3. Arrhythmia induced by left ventricular angiography ranged from nil to brief bursts of ventricular tachycardia. There was a strongly positive relationship between left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd) and induced arrhythmia. Out of 26 patients, 25 developed arrhythmia when LVIDd>=5 cm (96%), but only 24 out of 74 patients developed arrhythmia when LVIDd<5 cm (32%) (P<0.001). In non-dilated hearts where K+<4.0 mmol/l, arrhythmia developed in 100% (10 out of 10) of those with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), but in only 40% (8 out of 20) without LVH (P<0. 005). Where K+>=4.0 mmol/l, no arrhythmia occurred in patients with LVH but was present in 52% (31 out of 60) of patients without LVH (P<0.005). There were no relationships with age, end-diastolic pressure, blood pressure, ischaemic heart disease or sex of patient. 4. These data support the view that acute injection of contrast medium in humans induces arrhythmias dependent upon the underlying state of the heart, with potentially complex interplay between left ventricular dimension, hypertrophy and potassium status, supporting similar observations in experimental animals.

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