Transient biventricular apical ballooning: a unique presentation of the "broken heart".

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-2007

Abstract

Transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning and normal epicardial coronary arteries are the hallmarks of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The syndrome is often triggered by emotional or physiologic stress, and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Current proposals focus on elevated cathecolamines in association with abnormal coronary artery endothelium, coronary microcirculation or LV geometry. Right ventricular (RV) involvement, as described in our patient, is not reported as a typical feature. Presence of RV dysfunction may affect the initial management of these patients and raises questions regarding the universal applicability of the currently proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms of this syndrome.

Volume

30

Issue

7

First Page

355

Last Page

358

ISSN

0160-9289

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

17674380

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine

Document Type

Article

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