Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, in-hospital complications, and long-term prognosis of patients with stress cardiomyopathy.

Methods The clinical data from patients diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2014 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up was performed through telephone interviews or outpatient visits. The patients were divided into the survival group (n＝18) and the death group (n＝5) based on the follow-up outcomes, and clinical features and prognosis were compared between the two groups.

Results Among the patients, 76% were female, 38-97 years old, the average age was (68.6±13.1) years. 7 (28%) patients presented with cardiac and pulmonary-related complications at admission. The median follow-up time was 42 months. During the follow-up period, 2 patients were not available for further follow-up, 5 patients died, and 1 remained in a vegetative state. Of the deaths, 2 occurred during hospitalization caused by cardiac events, while the other 3 deaths occurred after discharge and were associated with COVID-19 infection, malignancy, and severe infection, respectively. Compared to the survival group, patients in the death group had a higher mean age and total ST-segment elevation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions In-hospital adverse cardiovascular events are primary complications of patients with stress cardiomyopathy. However, the main causes of death in the long term are determined to be other clinical factors.