Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome: the first series in Taiwanese patients

Previously thought as exclusive in Japanese patients, cases of transient left ventricular apical ballooning from other countries have also been reported. The cause remains unknown. From January 1997 to December 2005, 25 patients presenting with signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries were analyzed. In all, 10 patients fulfilled all the criteria for transient left ventricular apical ballooning. In all, 6 patients had chest pain and diaphoresis, 5 patients had ST segment elevation, 7 had T wave inversions, and 5 had QT prolongation; 6 patients had normal coronary arteries and 4 had insignificant stenosis. In all, 2 patients died of sepsis, whereas the rest recovered. This is the first series in Taiwanese patients. Our series showed male preponderance, and most patients recovered with supportive treatment. Without any delineating preangiographic feature differentiating it from acute myocardial infarction, any patient should be treated as a case of myocardial infarction until proven otherwise.