Geoff Dalton

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), is becoming an increasingly recognised entity. Usually preceded by emotional stress, it is characterised by chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation on the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), elevated cardiac biomarkers, and reversible left ventricular (LV) apical hypokinesia, making it an important differential diagnosis for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We present a typical case of TC initially misdiagnosed and treated as a STEMI, fortunately with no adverse consequences.