Multiple episodes of a transient global left ventricular dysfunction reminiscent to apical ballooning.

A new cardiac syndrome with transient left ventricular dysfunction has been recently reported and is referred to as Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by a transient akinesia of the apex and compensatory basal hyperkinesis. Today, the etiology remains unknown. We report for the first time of a patient with multiple episodes of a transient global left ventricular dysfunction which is reminiscent to apical ballooning. These episodes were always preceded by severe emotional stress proposing a potential common pathomechanism. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.