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Published on: January 15, 2022
Apical ballooning syndrome and previous coronary artery disease: a novel relationship
Insights
This case study shows that apical transient left ventricular dyskinesia can coexist with coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding challenges previous exclusion criteria for diagnosing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Apical transient left ventricular dyskinesia mimics acute coronary syndrome.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is often an exclusion criterion for this diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old man with known CAD and a stented left anterior descending artery presented with angina and ST-segment elevation.
- Coronary angiography revealed no new lesions; stents were patent.
Findings:
- Left ventriculography showed apical dyskinesia (Takotsubo-like).
- Left ventricular dysfunction resolved rapidly within seven days.
- Coronary lesions progressed, leading to new acute coronary syndromes and revascularization.
Implications:
- This case suggests CAD and apical transient dyskinesia can coexist.
- Further research is needed on the pathophysiology, prognosis, and management of coexisting conditions.
Abstract:
Apical transient left ventricular diskynesia is a recently described entity able to imitate acute coronary syndrome. The presence of previous coronary artery disease (CAD) is an exclusion criterion for this diagnosis in several studies. We report the case of a sixty-three year-old-caucasian man with previously known CAD, left anterior descending artery (LAD) stented-disease, presenting in the emergency room with angina and ST-segment elevation. A coronariography was urgently performed. No new coronary lesions could be demonstrated. LAD-placed stents were patent and showed no change in their angiographic appearance. Left ventriculogram demonstrated apical diskynesia (Takotsubo-like). Complete and rapid resolution of left ventricular dysfunction was echocardiographycally displayed seven days later. Months after, coronary lesions increased associated with new acute coronary syndromes and new revascularization procedures were required. The present case supports the idea that CAD and apical transient diskynesia could coexist in the same patient, arising further questions about the pathophysiology, prognosis and management of the latter.
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