[Takotsubo syndrome: myth or reality?]

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) also named transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome is a particularly entity of the acute coronary syndrome with normal coronary arteries. The predominance is neatly postmenopausal women. The aetiology and physiopathology of TS are subject to many hypothesis, sometime contradictory. However, emotional, physiological and environmental stressors are implicated factors. The typical image at the ventriculography is a systolic left ventricular apical ballooning reversible in a few days to weeks with an excellent prognostic. The treatment is based on supportive care. The goal of this article is to review the actual knowledge about TS to help the general practitioner, aboard this entity in the management of an ACS.