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Transient cardiac ballooning--the syndrome

Raghav Gupta1, Candice Sech, Ralph Lazzara

  • 1Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. raghav-gupta@ouhsc.edu

Clinical Cardiology
|November 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transient cardiac ballooning, a reversible heart condition, causes chest pain and ECG changes but no blocked arteries. Myocardial dysfunction typically resolves within weeks, with ongoing research into its causes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Transient cardiac ballooning is a reversible condition mimicking myocardial infarction.
  • Patients present with chest pain, ECG abnormalities, and elevated cardiac enzymes without obstructive coronary artery disease.

Observation:

  • Left ventriculography shows transient myocardial wall akinesis and systolic ballooning.
  • Acute regional myocardial dysfunction is observed.

Findings:

  • The condition typically normalizes within 1 to 6 weeks.
  • Hypotheses for pathophysiology include direct myocyte injury, postischemic stunning, and neurotransmitter actions.

Implications:

  • This review details case series, pathophysiology, diagnostic guidelines, treatment, and prognosis.
  • Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of transient cardiac ballooning is warranted.

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