Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ballooning syndrome) induced during dobutamine stress echocardiography

A 75-year-old woman presented with left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome mimicking acute anterior myocardial infarction. She had a long history of chest tightness and was undergoing a contrast stress echocardiogram because of frequent re-admissions with chest pain, all with normal ECGs and troponins. A standard dobutamine/atropine protocol had been used. The patient developed central crushing chest pain, marked ST elevation, transient …