This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) Data Supplement Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Prasad, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Prasad, A. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Cardiomyopathy Heart Attack Related Collections Acute coronary syndromes Acute myocardial infarction

(Circulation. 2007;115:e56-e59.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Clinician Update

Apical Ballooning Syndrome

An Important Differential Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abhiram Prasad, MD, FRCP, FESC

From the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Department of Internal Medicine, and Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minn.

Reprint requests to Abhiram Prasad, MD, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. E-mail prasad.abhiram{at}mayo.edu

	Introduction

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
Case presentation: A 60-year-old woman presented to the emergency department 2 hours after the onset of severe retrosternal chest pain that started soon after she was told that her son had died in a car accident. A 12-lead ECG demonstrated ST-elevation in the precordial leads (Figure 1), and the plasma troponin T level was elevated at 0.07 ng/mL. A diagnosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction was made, and the patient was admitted for emergency coronary angiography, which revealed normal coronary arteries. The left ventriculogram showed severe systolic dysfunction involving the mid and apical segments (Data Supplement Movie I).

View larger version (25K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Twelve-lead ECG demonstrating ST-segment elevation in precordial leads.

	Recognition of Clinical Syndrome

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
Physicians have long been aware of the possible association between stress and cardiovascular events. Awareness has increased of a distinct cardiac syndrome that was originally described in the Japanese population and was called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, named after the octopus-trapping pot with a round bottom and narrow neck that resembles the left ventriculogram during systole in these patients.^1,2 Other names used to describe the condition include apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), broken heart syndrome, and stress or ampulla cardiomyopathy. The precise incidence of ABS is unknown, but it may account for 1% to 2% of patients who present with an acute myocardial infarction.³

	Clinical Features

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
The majority of patients have a clinical presentation that is indistinguishable from an acute coronary syndrome. Most present with chest pain at rest, although some patients have dyspnea alone as their initial presenting symptom. Rarely, patients present with syncope or an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.⁴ ABS appears to occur almost exclusively in postmenopausal women; however, a few cases have been reported in younger women and males.⁴ The patients are usually hemodynamically stable, but clinical findings of mild-to-moderate congestive heart failure commonly coexist. In a minority of patients, hypotension may occur from reduced stroke volume and occasionally from dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Cardiogenic shock may be a rare complication. A unique feature of ABS is the occurrence of a preceding emotionally or physically stressful event in approximately two thirds of patients. Importantly, such a trigger is not observed in all individuals, and its absence does not exclude the diagnosis.

	Diagnosis

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
The most frequent finding on the admission ECG is mild ST-segment elevation, which occurs in approximately 50% to 60% of patients. It is typically present in the precordial leads, but the ECG can be normal or can show nonspecific T-wave abnormality or major ST elevation across the precordial and limb leads. In general, the 12-lead ECG alone is not helpful in differentiating ABS from an ST-elevation myocardial infarction.⁵ Characteristic evolutionary changes that occur over 2 to 3 days include resolution of the ST-segment elevation and subsequent development of diffuse and often deep T-wave inversion that involves most leads (Figure 2). New pathological Q waves may be seen occasionally, and there is frequent prolongation of the corrected QT interval. Most, if not all, patients have a small early increase in cardiac biomarkers, especially when cardiac troponins are measured. Transthoracic echocardiography can detect the regional wall-motion abnormality, but the diagnosis is frequently made in the cardiac catheterization laboratory because the patients are initially suspected of suffering from an acute coronary syndrome and are referred for urgent or emergency coronary angiography. Patients with ABS typically do not have obstructive coronary artery disease. The left ventriculogram shows characteristic regional wall-motion abnormalities involving the mid and usually the apical segments. There is sparing of the basal systolic function, and the wall-motion abnormality extends beyond the distribution of any 1 single coronary artery (Data Supplement Movie I). Apical sparing variants have also been described (Data Supplement Movie II).⁶ Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in excluding myocardial infarction, because delayed gadolinium hyperenhancement is not a feature of ABS.⁷

View larger version (24K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Twelve-lead ECG demonstrating resolution of ST-segment elevation and development of diffuse T-wave inversion.

On the basis of our experience, we have previously proposed criteria for making a clinical diagnosis of ABS, and all 4 criteria must be present. The Table illustrates a modified version of the criteria that incorporates contemporary knowledge about the syndrome.⁴ The diagnosis of ABS is most likely to be made at institutions where primary percutaneous coronary intervention and an early invasive strategy are practiced for the management of acute coronary syndromes. The absence of obstructive coronary artery disease and the characteristic regional wall-motion abnormality are likely to lead to the diagnosis. Diagnosis of ABS in patients who present at hospitals without cardiac catheterization laboratories requires a high index of suspicion. The diagnosis should be considered in a postmenopausal woman who presents with cardiac symptoms that are temporally related to an emotional or physical stressor, with positive cardiac biomarkers or an abnormal ECG. Establishing the diagnosis is particularly important if fibrinolytic therapy is being considered for a presumed diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Inappropriate administration of fibrinolytics to a patient with ABS may lead to harm, and it would be appropriate to transfer a patient suspected of having ABS for emergency coronary angiography.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Proposed Mayo Clinic Criteria for the Clinical Diagnosis of ABS

	Management

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
The optimal management of ABS has not been established, but supportive therapy invariably leads to spontaneous recovery. Because the presentation in these patients is indistinguishable from an acute coronary syndrome, initial management should be directed toward the treatment of myocardial ischemia, with continuous ECG monitoring and administration of aspirin, intravenous heparin, and ß-blockers. Once the diagnosis of ABS has been made, aspirin can be discontinued unless there is coexisting coronary atherosclerosis. ß-Blocker therapy may be continued, if tolerated, especially because an excess of catecholamines may play a role in precipitating the conditions. Diuretics are effective for the treatment of congestive heart failure. The right ventricle is also involved in approximately one third of cases, and these patients are sicker and more likely to develop congestive heart failure (Data Supplement Movie III).⁸ On rare occasions, when there is significant hypotension, it is important to exclude dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with echocardiography. If present, a cautious trial of ß-blockers may help by reducing the hypercontractility of the base of the left ventricle. Alternatively, an infusion of phenylephrine may be effective by increasing the afterload and left ventricular cavity size. Inotropes would be contraindicated in this situation. In contrast, cardiogenic shock owing to pump failure is treated with standard therapies that include inotropes and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. Anticoagulation should be considered in cases of severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction to prevent thromboembolism until there has been recovery.

	Prognosis

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
Patients with ABS generally have a good prognosis in the absence of significant underlying comorbid conditions. The systolic dysfunction and the regional wall-motion abnormalities are transient and resolve completely within a matter of days to a few weeks. This is such a uniform finding that an alternative diagnosis should be considered in patients in whom the cardiomyopathy does not resolve. Typically, assessment of the ejection fraction should be performed at approximately 4 to 6 weeks after discharge from the hospital to document recovery of function. At this time, the ECG usually shows complete resolution, although T-wave inversion may persist for a longer period of time. In-hospital mortality from ABS is very low and unlikely to be greater than 1% to 2%. The recurrence rate of ABS is no more than 10%.⁹ In our practice, in the absence of contraindications, we recommend chronic ß-blocker therapy, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of a recurrent episode. Annual clinical follow-up is advisable because the natural history of ABS remains unknown.

	Pathophysiology

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
The pathophysiology of ABS is poorly understood. Several mechanisms for the reversible cardiomyopathy have been proposed, including multivessel epicardial spasm, coronary microvascular spasm, catecholamine-induced myocardial stunning, and myocarditis. Multivessel epicardial coronary artery spasm has not been observed in any of the patients at our institution, but it is possible that the routine administration of nitrates for ischemic chest pain may obscure its presence. Microvascular dysfunction is present in at least two thirds of patients at the time of presentation, and its severity correlates with the magnitude of troponin elevation and ECG abnormalities.¹⁰ It remains to be established whether impairment in microvascular function is the primary mechanism for the injury or is an epiphenomenon. Catecholamines may play a role in triggering the syndrome.¹¹

	Case Conclusion

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 30 mm Hg, and the patient was markedly hypotensive. An intra-aortic balloon was inserted. Her symptoms and hypotension resolved over 48 hours. She was discharged on the fourth day with a prescription for an ACE inhibitor and ß-blocker. An echocardiogram 4 weeks later revealed normal left ventricular function. The ACE inhibitor was discontinued, and she remains well 1 year after her admission.

	Acknowledgments

 
Disclosures

None.

	Footnotes

 
The online-only Data Supplement, consisting of movies, is available with this article at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/115/5/e56/DC1.

	References

Top Introduction Recognition of Clinical Syndrome Clinical Features Diagnosis Management Prognosis Pathophysiology Case Conclusion References

 
1. Sato H, Tateishi H, Uchida T, Dote K, Ishihara M, Sasaki K. Tako-tsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction due to multivessel coronary spasm. In: Kodama K, Haze K, Hori M, eds. Clinical Aspect of Myocardial Injury: From Ischemia to Heart Failure [in Japanese]. Tokyo, Japan: Kagakuhyoronsha Publishing Co; 1990: 56–64.

2. Tsuchihashi K, Ueshima K, Uchida T, Oh-mura N, Kimura K, Owa M, Yoshiyama M, Miyazaki S, Haze K, Ogawa H, Honda T, Hase M, Kai R, Morii I. Transient left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis: a novel heart syndrome mimicking acute myocardial infarction: Angina Pectoris-Myocardial Infarction Investigations in Japan. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001; 38: 11–18.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Bybee KA, Prasad A, Barsness G, Wright RS, Rihal CS. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and impaired myocardial microcirculation in patients with transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome: a case-series from a U.S. medial center. Am J Cardiol. 2004; 94: 343–346.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

4. Bybee KA, Kara T, Prasad A Lerman A, Barsness GW, Wright RS, Rihal CS. Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome: a mimic of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Ann Intern Med. 2004; 141: 858–865.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

5. Bybee K, Motiei A, Syed I, Kara T, Prasad A, Lennon RJ, Murphy JG, Hammill SC, Rihal CS, Wright RS. Electrocardiography cannot reliably differentiate transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome from anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. J Electrocardiol. 2007; 40: 38.e1–e6.

6. Hurst RT, Askew JW, Reuss CS, Lee RW, Sweeney JP, Fortuin FD, Oh JK, Tajik AJ. Transient midventricular ballooning syndrome: a new variant. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006; 48: 579–583.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

7. Sharkey SW, Lesser JR, Zenovich AG, Maron MS, Lindberg J, Longe TF, Maron BJ. Acute and reversible cardiomyopathy provoked by stress in women from the United States. Circulation. 2005; 111: 472–479.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

8. Elesber A, Prasad A, Bybee KA, Valeti U, Motiei A, Lerman A, Chandrasekaran K, Rihal CS. Transient cardiac apical ballooning syndrome: prevalence and clinical implications of right ventricular involvement. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006; 47: 1082–1083.[Free Full Text]

9. Elesber AA, Prasad A, Wright S, Lerman A, Rihal C. Recurrence rate and long term prognosis of the apical ballooning syndrome. Circulation. 2006; 114 (suppl II): II-625. Abstract.

10. Elesber A, Lerman A, Bybee KA, Murphy JG, Barsness G, Singh M, Rihal CS, Prasad A. Myocardial perfusion in apical ballooning syndrome: correlate of myocardial injury. Am Heart J. 2006; 152: 469.e9–e13.

11. Wittstein IS, Thiemann DR, Lima JA, Baughman KL, Schulman SP, Gerstenblith G, Wu KC, Rade JJ, Bivalacqua TJ, Champion HC. Neurohumoral features of myocardial stunning due to sudden emotional stress. N Engl J Med. 2005; 352: 539–548.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. Coons, M. Barnes, and K. Kusick Takotsubo cardiomyopathy Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., March 15, 2009; 66(6): 562 - 566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Culic Psychology, cardiology, and gender Eur. Heart J., October 2, 2008; 29(20): 2577 - 2577. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Bybee and A. Prasad Stress-Related Cardiomyopathy Syndromes Circulation, July 22, 2008; 118(4): 397 - 409. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Schwenk, C. E. Spitters, G. Lippi, G. Targher, R. Farzaneh-Far, A. Farzaneh-Far, U. Wilbert-Lampen, and G. Steinbeck Cardiovascular events during World Cup soccer. N. Engl. J. Med., May 29, 2008; 358(22): 2408 - 2408. [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Tona, A. L.P. Caforio, and S. Iliceto Microvascular dysfunction in left apical ballooning syndrome: Primary cause or secondary phenomenon? Eur J Echocardiogr, December 1, 2007; 8(6): 411 - 412. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) Data Supplement Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Prasad, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Prasad, A. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Cardiomyopathy Heart Attack Related Collections Acute coronary syndromes Acute myocardial infarction