We would like to thank Dr. Pitt O. Lim for his interest and valuable comments to our article ‘Microvascular function and inflammatory activation in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy’. 1
The aetiology and mechanisms of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) are not fully understood. Coronary microvascular dysfunction may play a role, but whether this is a primary or secondary part is uncertain. Despite pitfalls of the IMR method for assessing microvascular dysfunction, it is still one of the recommended procedures to use in heart catheterization laboratories. 2 PET‐CT is regarded the reference method for microvascular function, but it is not readily available and is hardly possible to use in the acute phase of TTS. Coronary absolute flow measurement with continuous thermodilution technique is now possible, and we fully agree that this method is promising and without the pitfalls of the indirect IMR method. However, the method is for the time being primarily used for research purposes, and when used in TTS, this method may hopefully add to our knowledge on the aetiology and pathophysiology of the condition.
Solberg, O. G. (2024) ESCHF‐23‐00103R1 ‘Microvascular function and inflammatory activation in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy’. ESC Heart Failure, 11: 1279. 10.1002/ehf2.14652.
References
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