Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical left ventricular aneurysm

Relevance of increased negative T waves in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with progressive myocardial damage: Insights from repeat cardiac magnetic resonance studies

In patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), progressive electrocardiographic changes are observed during long-term follow-up. However, it is difficult to correspond these changes to the specific myocardial changes. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can elucidate myocardial changes by late gadolinium enhancement. Here, we present the long-term follow-up (>18 years) on a patient with apical HCM, whereupon, precise and continuous changes in the myocardium, causing ST segment and T wave changes on electrocardiography, were observed on CMR images. The combination of electrocardiography and CMR facilitates management of patients with apical HCM because it helps explain and understand the nature of electrocardiography changes over time.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-related left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: A case report

Background

Myocardial infarction-related left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP), covered by the adjacent pericardial or scar tissue, is a fatal sequela of left ventricular rupture. Whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may cause left ventricular true aneurysm. Differentiating LVP from left ventricular true aneurysm is crucial because their natural histories and treatment strategies are distinct. However, the incidence and management of HCM-related LVP remain unknown.

Case presentation

An 88-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with sudden-onset chest pain. Upon initial examination, vital signs were stable, and a grade 4/6 systolic murmur was noted. An electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and poor R-wave progression without ST-T changes or negative T-waves. An echocardiography showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy, mid-ventricular obstruction with a significant intraventricular pressure gradient, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and a small left ventricular apical outpouching. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) assisted in the diagnosis of LVP, and an accompanying pericardial effusion suggested impending cardiac rupture. Because the patient initially refused our proposed urgent surgery, medication was initiated with continuous hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit; however, the patient's condition did not improve. During a semi-urgent surgical repair of the aneurysmal wall, LVP was observed and confirmed by pathology. Myocardial tissue adjacent to the pseudoaneurysm was consistent with that of HCM. Subsequently, a final diagnosis of HCM-related LVP was made. The postoperative course was notable for transient profound hypotension. Thereafter, the patient died of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia on day 6.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HCM-related LVP mimicking impending cardiac rupture. Our case highlights the importance of considering HCM-related LVP in patients with left ventricular outpouching and CCTA in the LVP diagnosis. In further research, data on the appropriate management of HCM-related LVP should be accumulated.

Diagnosis and Clinical Implication of Left Ventricular Aneurysm in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation and prognosis. Within the broad phenotypic expression of HCM, there is a subgroup of patients with a left ventricular (LV) apical aneurysm, which has an estimated prevalence between 2% and 5%. LV apical aneurysm is characterized by an area of apical dyskinesis or akinesis, often associated with regional scarring. To date, the most accepted pathomechanism of this complication is, in absence of coronary artery disease, the high systolic intra-aneurysmal pressure, which, combined with impaired diastolic perfusion from lower stroke volume, results in supply-demand ischemia and myocardial injury. Apical aneurysm is increasingly recognized as a poor prognostic marker; however, the efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulation and/or intracardiac cardioverted defibrillator (ICD) in improving morbidity and mortality is not yet clearly demonstrated. This review aims to elucidate the mechanism, diagnosis and clinical implication of LV aneurysm in patients with HCM.

A case report of apical aneurysms and myocardial perfusion deficit with myocardial necrosis due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

RATIONALE

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease that is characterized by inappropriate left ventricular and/or right ventricular hypertrophy and hypercontractility that is often asymmetrical and associated with microscopic evidence of myocardial fiber disarray. The aim of this study was to present a previously under-recognized subset of HCM patients with left ventricular (LV) apical aneurysms.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

A 33-year-old man who presented with chest discomfort for 10 days. He had an emerging apical aneurysm in the LV without midventricular obstruction. He had been diagnosed with apical HCM via abnormal electrocardiograms (ECG) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for 10 years. This time, a new significant change in ECG and SPECT was identified. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was observed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and SPECT showed myocardial fibrosis or necrosis involving the apical aneurysm and proximal portion of the heart, which was confirmed by left ventriculography.

DIAGNOSES

We present a relatively rare case of HCM patients with apical aneurysms, accompaning by myocardial necrosis markers increased due to ventricular muscle stress increases, rather than obstructive coronary artery disease.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was prescribed aspirin, metoprolol tartrate, perindopril, and atorvastatin and was strongly advised to quit cigarettes and reduce weight.

OUTCOMES

Follow-up at half a year turned out well.

LESSONS

LGE with a notable progression by ECG and SPECT along with an increase in myocardial necrosis markers in HCM patients with apical aneurysms, as was noted in the present case, is a relatively rare occurrence. Our present case may provide unique insights into the adverse remodelling process and the formation of apical aneurysms in HCM patients.

Multiple left ventricular aneurysms in a young female

Multiple left ventricular aneurysms (LVAs) are rare, especially in a young female. A 29-year-old woman presented vague symptoms. Multiple LVAs were revealed and confirmed on different imaging modalities, including chest radiography, echocardiography, contrast ventriculography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Detailed work-up for probable etiologies including ischemic, infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune causes was negative. In the absence of angina, decompensated congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and embolism, the patient was managed conservatively, with excellent mid-term outcome.

Association of ST elevation with apical aneurysm in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES

Apical aneurysms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represent an underrecognized but clinically important subset of HCM patients. However it may be frequently missed by echocardiography because of poor image quality of left ventricular apex. We aimed to compare electrocardiographic STE in HCM patients with and without apical aneurysm.

METHODS

We developed this clinical review using an extensive MEDLINE review of the literature and data from our laboratories; and some electrocardiographic parameters including STE were analysed in HCM patients with and without apical aneurysm.

RESULTS

There were 29 HCM patients without apical aneurysm (Group 1; 52.6±17.7years, 69% male) and 28 HCM patients with apical aneurysm (Group 2; 59.6±13.2years, 57% male). The STE in V4-6 derivations were statistically more frequent in patients with apical aneurysm compared to those without aneurysm (93% vs 7%, p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the presence of the STE in V4-6 derivations and the presence of the apical aneurysm (Spearman's ρ=0.895, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and specifically echocardiographers must pay special attention on the electrocardiography to correctly detect the frequently overlooked apical aneurysm in HCM patients, and should be careful for apical aneurysm particularly in the presence of STE in V4-6 derivations.

Electrocardiographic evolution in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who develop a left ventricular apical aneurysm

INTRODUCTION

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with apical aneurysm have a largely unfavourable clinical course, and are often unrecognised because echocardiography is limited in the assessment of the left ventricular (LV) apex. The aim of this study is the identification of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities associated with the development of apical aneurysm in HCM patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electrocardiographic features were assessed in 14 HCM patients who had a good-quality baseline ECG recorded before and after the diagnosis of apical aneurysm.

RESULTS

During follow-up (8.8±7.5years), the following ECG changes were observed: increase in QRS-complex duration (87±12ms to 118±34ms, p=0.006), QRS-complex fragmentation, decrease in QRS-complex amplitude (SV1+RV5-6, from 41±18mm to 26±11mm, p=0.015), ST-segment elevation in V4-V6 (J-point in V5, from -0.9±1.3mm to +0.7±1.3, p=0.003), positivisation of negative T waves in V3-V6 (T-wave depth in V5, from -3.4±6.6 to +3.1±4.1, p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

HCM patients who develop LV apical aneurysm exhibit distinctive ECG changes along with apical remodelling. Suggestive ECGs should lead the physician to study LV apex by nonstandard echocardiographic views, and perform MRI.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical aneurysm: left ventricular reconstruction and cryoablation for ventricular tachycardia

This is a case study of a 58-year-old patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mid-ventricular obstruction, and apical aneurysm who had an episode of syncope due to ventricular tachycardia. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging revealed asymmetrical left ventricular hypertrophy with mid-ventricular obstruction and an apical aneurysm. His coronary angiography was normal, and his ventricular tachycardia was induced by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without ischemia. Apical aneurysmectomy, left ventricular reconstruction, and cryoablation at the rim of the aneurysm were performed. Fifteen days after the operation, an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted. The postoperative course was uneventful, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia did not recur during 18 months of follow-up.

Severe symptoms in mid and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

We analyzed the clinical and quantitative echocardiographic characteristics of patients with sub-basal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to define the characteristics of patients (pts) with severe symptoms.

METHODS

Of 444 pts in a referral-based HCM program, 22 (5%) had midventricular or apical HCM. Quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was administered as an independent confirmer of symptomatic state.

RESULTS

Ten pts were NYHA III and IV, and 12 pts were NYHA I and II; QoL scores (41 +/- 26 vs. 10 +/- 13, P = 0.001) confirmed a priori division of two groups based on NYHA classification. Pts with more severe symptoms were more likely female (70% vs. 25%, P = 0.001) with atrial fibrillation (40% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). They more frequently had midventricular HCM 60% versus 8% (P = 0.01) (mid-LV thickness 17 +/- 6 vs. 12 +/- 2 mm, P = 0.03) and had much smaller LV diastolic volumes 68 +/- 12 versus 102 +/- 22 ml (39 +/- 4 vs. 53 +/- 12 ml/m(2), P = 0.001). Septal E/E' was higher in the severely symptomatic pts (15 +/- 5 vs. 7 +/- 3, P = 0.001) indicating higher estimated LV filling pressure. Midobstruction with apical akinetic chamber was noted in 4/10 pts who developed refractory symptoms. Cardiac mortality was higher in the severely symptomatic patients, 4/10 who had midventricular HCM as compared to 0/12 in the mildly symptomatic apical HCM group (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In subbasal HCM, pts with severe symptoms have midventricular hypertrophy, with encroachment of the LV cavity and consequent very small LV volumes that may be complicated by mid-LV obstruction. Pts with mid-LV hypertrophy are more symptomatic than those with apical HCM, are often refractory to therapy, and have higher mortality.

Prevalence, clinical significance, and natural history of left ventricular apical aneurysms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease characterized by a diverse clinical and phenotypic spectrum. This study reports the prevalence, morphology, clinical course, and management of an underrecognized subgroup of HCM patients with left ventricular apical aneurysms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 1299 HCM patients, 28 (2%) were identified with left ventricular apical aneurysms, including a pair of identical twins. Aneurysms were recognized at a wide age range (26 to 83 years), including 12 patients (43%) who were <or=50 years of age. Apical aneurysms varied considerably in size (maximum dimension, 10 to 66 mm), were dyskinetic/akinetic with thin rims, and were associated with transmural (and often more extensive) myocardial scarring identified by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Apical aneurysms were recognized by echocardiography in only 16 of 28 patients (57%) but by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the 12 patients undetected by echocardiography. Left ventricular chamber morphology varied; however, 19 patients (68%) showed an "hourglass" contour, with midventricular hypertrophy producing muscular narrowing and intracavitary gradients in 9 patients (74+/-42 mm Hg). Sarcomeric protein missense mutations known to cause other phenotypic expressions of HCM were present in 3 patients. Over 4.1+/-3.7 years of follow-up, 12 patients (43%) with left ventricular apical aneurysms experienced adverse disease complications (event rate, 10.5%/y), including sudden death, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator discharges, nonfatal thromboembolic stroke, and progressive heart failure and death.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with left ventricular apical aneurysms represent an underappreciated subset in the heterogeneous HCM disease spectrum with important clinical implications, often requiring a high index of suspicion and cardiovascular magnetic resonance for identification. Apical aneurysms in HCM are associated with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and raise novel treatment considerations.

Clinical implications of midventricular obstruction and intravenous propranolol use in transient left ventricular apical ballooning (Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy)

BACKGROUND

Persistent hypotension with dynamic midventricular obstruction (MVO) in patients with transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning (Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy) is an important complication that needs to be treated.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of intravenous propranolol challenge on MVO in transient LV apical ballooning.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-four patients (12 males, 22 females, mean age 64 +/- 17 years, age range 22-84 years) with LV apical ballooning were enrolled. The hemodynamic and echocardiographic effects of propranolol (0.05 mg/kg, maximum 4 mg) were analyzed in 13 patients.

RESULTS

(1) Midventricular obstruction was present in 8 (24%) of 34 patients, and the pressure gradient (PG) ranged from 28 to 140 mm Hg. (2) Patients with MVO had similar demographic and clinical characteristics (symptoms, peak creatine kinase, plasma catecholamine levels) as those without MVO; however, in patients with MVO, abnormal Q waves on electrocardiogram and hypotension were more prevalent. (3) In the MVO group, intravenous propranolol changed the PG from 90 +/- 42 to 22 +/- 9 mm Hg, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 85 +/- 11 to 116 +/- 20 mm Hg, and the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) from 30% +/- 7% to 43% +/- 4%. (4) In all subjects, the changes in the PG after propranolol injection had a significant linear correlation with the SBP and LVEF changes: deltaSBP = 4.738 + 0.315 x deltaPG (r = 0.689 (P < .001) and deltaLVEF = 2.973 + 0.1321 x deltaPG (r = 0.715, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Intravenous propranolol is useful for treating dynamic MVO in patients with transient LV apical ballooning.

Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with an apical aneurysm: evaluation of possible causes of aneurysm formation

Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MVOHCM) is a rare type of cardiomyopathy, associated with apical aneurysm formation in some cases. We report a patient presenting with ventricular fibrillation, an ECG with an above normal ST segment, and elevated levels of cardiac enzymes but normal coronary arteries. Left ventriculography revealed a left ventricular obstruction without apical aneurysm. There was a significant pressure gradient between the apical and basal sites of the left ventricle. Cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed on the 10th hospital day, showed asymmetric septal hypertrophy, mid-ventricular obstruction, and an apical aneurysm with a thrombus. The first evaluation by contrast-enhanced imaging showed a subendocardial perfusion defect and delayed enhancement. It was speculated that the intraventricular pressure gradient, due to mid- ventricular obstruction, triggered myocardial infarction, which subsequently resulted in apical aneurysm formation.

Sustained ventricular tachycardia in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, midcavitary obstruction, and apical aneurysm

The prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is estimated at 1:500 in the general population. Of these patients, approximately 1% develops midcavitary obstruction and subsequent apical aneurysm. We present a brief review of the literature on apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using a rare case-based example. The etiology for apical aneurysm development is unclear but is thought to extend from apical fibrosis and necrosis secondary to subendocardial ischemia. The lifetime risk of cardiovascular death in patients with HCM is 2%. However, the risk may be higher in patients with apical aneurysms. Definitive therapy involves implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, since medical therapy has variable success.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with midventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm

We present the case of a 69-year-old female with a long history of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy progressing to midcavitary obstruction and apical aneurysm development. A coronary angiogram showed no stenotic lesions in the epicardial coronary arteries and myocardial perfusion imaging showed no perfusion defects in the left ventricular apex, with the latter being an extremely uncommon finding. This case suggests that apical aneurysm may not be exclusively caused by ischemia and eventually different or coexisting factors are probably involved.

Idiopathic left ventricular aneurysm and sudden cardiac death in young adults

AIMS

We report three young patients presenting with life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) and/or survived sudden cardiac arrest, who were admitted to our institution for further diagnostic evaluation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In all patients, idiopathic left ventricular (LV) aneurysms were identified after a detailed non-invasive and invasive evaluation. Sustained VT/VF was inducible during programmed ventricular stimulation in two of the three patients. Left ventricular aneurysms were depicted and characterized by various imaging modalities (echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, LV angiography). To elucidate the pathogenesis further, both myocardial viability and regional sympathetic innervation were assessed by radionuclide imaging techniques. Defects of innervation and metabolism were documented in the area of the aneurysm but distal to the aneurysm there were no signs of downstream denervation.

CONCLUSION

Life-threatening arrhythmias may be the first manifestation of an idiopathic LV aneurysm, which can be reliably diagnosed with modern imaging techniques. Radionuclide imaging may yield additional information as to the involvement of the autonomic nervous system potentially associated with arrhythmogenesis. Management strategies in patients with an idiopathic LV aneurysm range from antiarrhythmic drug treatment, implantation of an automatic cardioverter-defibrillator to surgical aneurysmectomy.

Apical left ventricular aneurysm without atrio-ventricular block due to a lamin A/C gene mutation

BACKGROUND

Mutations in LMNA gene encoding two ubiquitously expressed nuclear proteins, lamins A and C, give rise to up to 7 different pathologies affecting specific tissues. Three of these disorders affect cardiac and/or skeletal muscles with atrio-ventricular conduction disturbances, dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death as common features.

RESULTS

A new LMNA mutation (1621C>T, R541C) was found in two members of a French family with a history of ventricular rhythm disturbances and an uncommon form of systolic left ventricle dysfunction. The two patients: the proband and his daughter, were affected and exhibited an atypical form of dilated cardiomyopathy with an unexplained left ventricle aneurysm revealed by ventricular rhythm disturbances without atrio-ventricular block.

CONCLUSION

This finding reinforces the highly variable phenotypic expression of LMNA mutation and emphasizes the fact that LMNA mutations can be associated with different cardiac phenotypes.

Sustained cavity obliteration and apical aneurysm formation in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES

In patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM), we estimated the severity of cavity obliteration (CO) in the apical potion of the left ventricle and correlated it with various clinical findings including apical aneurysm.

BACKGROUND

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy sometimes develops apical aneurysm. The apical CO is often exhibited in ApHCM along with apical hypertrophy and ischemia. It remains unclear, however, how the CO and others are related to aneurysm.

METHODS

In 46 patients with ApHCM, we measured CO time on M-mode echocardiography and corrected it by the R-R interval (cCOT). We divided the 46 patients into the following groups: 17 with cCOT <or=200 ms (no/mild CO group); 18 with cCOT >200 to <or=350 ms (moderate CO group); and 11 with cCOT >350 ms (severe CO group). We then compared apical aneurysm, hypertrophy, ischemia, QT interval, and the like between the three groups.

RESULTS

The severe CO group exclusively comprised 11 patients having apical aneurysm and paradoxic jet flow. Of the 11 patients, 10 exhibited irreversible defects on exercise single photon emission computed tomography with thallium-201. All with moderate CO showed reversible defects, and none with no/mild CO showed any defects. Left ventricular hypertrophy and the corrected QT interval (QTc) were largest in the severe CO group. There were high correlations between the cCOT, hypertrophy, ischemia, and QTc. Of the 11 patients with severe CO, 6 had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and 1 had mural thrombus.

CONCLUSIONS

In ApHCM, sustained CO is an important pathophysiologic condition as well as hypertrophy, ischemia, and prolonged QTc, which are considered jointly related to the development of aneurysm through interactions.

Effect of intravenous propranolol on left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis (ampulla cardiomyopathy): three cases

The precise etiological basis of transient left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis (ampulla or so-called 'takotsubo' cardiomyopathy) remains unknown, so the present study examined the acute effects of intravenous propranolol (2-4 mg) in 3 female patients (age range, 61-76 years) with the condition. Although one patient who did not have any intraventricular pressure gradients showed no improvement in the electrocardiographic and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, the other 2 patients, who had significant intraventricular pressure gradients, did show improvement. Dynamic intraventricular obstruction might play a role in maintaining apical ballooning, at least, in patients exhibiting an intraventricular pressure gradient.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with midventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm: a case report

A 71-year-old woman had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with midventricular obstruction and an apical aneurysm in the left ventricle. She had had abnormal electrocardiograms for more than 30 years and for the past year had been suffering from occasional attacks of dizziness and low systemic blood pressure. Holter 24-h electrocardiographic monitoring revealed ventricular paroxysmal contractions (676/day) with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Doppler echocardiography revealed paradoxical jet flow from the apical aneurysm to the left ventricular outflow during early diastole. Magnetic resonance imaging depicted midventricular hypertrophy and a dyskinetic thin apical wall, which were confirmed by angiography. Coronary angiograms showed no narrowing of the major extramural coronary arteries, but there was compression of aberrant coronary arteries apparently feeding the hypertrophic portion of the left ventricular wall. Stress thallium-201 myocardial imaging showed a persistent severe defect in the left ventricular apex. A hemodynamic study revealed low cardiac output and an intraventricular pressure gradient (approximately 90 mmHg) between the left ventricular apical high-pressure chamber and the subaortic low-pressure chamber. The present case represents a rare combination of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, midventricular obstruction, and an apical aneurysm in an elderly woman. Myocardial ischemia may have played an important role in the genesis of the apical aneurysm.

Ruptured left ventricular pseudoaneurysm penetrating into the left pleural cavity

We experienced a rare case of ruptured left ventricular pseudoaneurysm penetrating into the left pleural cavity. A 77-year-old woman was first diagnosed with unstable angina due to sudden chest pain onset and abnormal electrocardiographic findings. In 2 days, massive left pleural effusion was recognized by chest X-ray, though subsequent computed tomographic scans did not show any aortic pathology. We observed her with left thoracentesis alone. Two days later, cardiac arrest suddenly occurred and emergency surgery was undertaken after resuscitation by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. In surgery, a moderate amount of intrapericardial hematoma caused by rupture of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm penetrating into the left pleural cavity was found and successfully repaired. This rare rupture of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm penetrating into the left pleural cavity generated massive hemo-hydrothorax.

Transient left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis: a novel heart syndrome mimicking acute myocardial infarction. Angina Pectoris-Myocardial Infarction Investigations in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical features of a novel heart syndrome with transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning, but without coronary artery stenosis, that mimics acute myocardial infarction, we performed a multicenter retrospective enrollment study.

BACKGROUND

Only several case presentations have been reported with regard to this syndrome.

METHODS

We analyzed 88 patients (12 men and 76 women), aged 67 +/- 13 years, who fulfilled the following criteria: 1) transient LV apical ballooning, 2) no significant angiographic stenosis, and 3) no known cardiomyopathies.

RESULTS

Thirt-eight (43%) patients had preceding aggravation of underlying disorders (cerebrovascular accident [n = 3], epilepsy [n = 3], exacerbated bronchial asthma [n = 3], acute abdomen [n = 7]) and noncardiac surgery or medical procedure (n = 11) at the onset. Twenty-four (27%) patients had emotional and physical problems (sudden accident [n = 2], death/funeral of a family member [n = 7], inexperience with exercise [n = 6], quarreling or excessive alcohol consumption [n = 5] and vigorous excitation [n = 4]). Chest symptoms (67%), electrocardiographic changes (ST elevation [90%], Q-wave formation [27%] and T-wave inversion [97%]) and elevated creatine kinase (56%) were found. After treatment of pulmonary edema (22%), cardiogenic shock (15%) and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (9%), 85 patients had class I New York Heart Association function on discharge. The LV ejection fraction improved from 41 +/- 11% to 64 +/- 10%. Transient intraventricular pressure gradient and provocative vasospasm were documented in 13/72 (18%) and 10/48 (21%) of the patients, respectively. During follow-up for 13 +/- 14 months, two patients showed recurrence, and one died suddenly.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel cardiomyopathy with transient apical ballooning was reported. Emotional or physical stress might play a key role in this cardiomyopathy, but the precise etiologic basis still remains unclear.