Acute coronary syndrome or apical ballooning syndrome?

Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) is uniquely characterized by the acute onset of transient extensive kinesis of the apical and mid portions of the left ventricle without significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis, accompanied by chest symptoms and electrocardiogram changes similar to those of acute coronary syndrome. We report a case of ABS with severe coronary artery stenosis presenting as acute coronary syndrome after emotional stress. ABS should be considered a cause of left ventricular wall motion abnormalities even if a coronary arteriogram shows severe coronary artery stenosis.