Researchers develop biomarker score for broken-heart syndrome
Takotsubo syndrome is an acute heart condition that primarily affects postmenopausal women and is often triggered by severe emotional or physical stress. Although it affects about 2% of all patients with suspected heart attacks—and as many as one in 10 women with acute coronary syndrome—the condition remains difficult to distinguish from a heart attack.
Researchers have created a new diagnostic tool, named BioTAK, to identify Takotsubo syndrome, often referred to as "broken-heart syndrome." This condition, which primarily affects postmenopausal women but can also impact men, is difficult to distinguish from a heart attack due to similar symptoms. The BioTAK score utilizes a combination of blood biomarkers and biological sex to distinguish between the two conditions before invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization.
In an independent validation study, the BioTAK score accurately classified nearly 90% of patients based on predefined thresholds. The score incorporates two novel biomarkers that shed light on the brain-heart axis and the role of atherosclerosis, providing insights into the complex disease mechanisms of Takotsubo syndrome. The researchers believe that the BioTAK score can guide diagnostic procedures more effectively and avoid unnecessary invasive tests in selected patients.
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