A case of transient left mid ventricular ballooning.

We describe a case of an 85-year-old woman who presented with chest pain after a crisis of bronchial asthma. On admission, the electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Peak troponin I level was 3.0 ng/dl (normal value <0.4 ng/dl). Angiography demonstrated ballooning of the mid portion of the left ventricle without involvement of the apex. No obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease was present. After 8 days, left ventricular wall motion improved and returned completely to normal at 1-month echocardiographic follow-up.