This ventriculogram shows the typical apical ballooning of the left ventricle during Takotsubo myocardiopathy. This serious condition can be caused by extreme stress, such as in the death of a loved one, or prolonged high stress levels. The ECG will usually show ST elevations indicating an anterior wall M.I., but the angiogram will show no arterial occlusions. Takotsubo myopathy causes a sudden onset of congestive heart failure. It is transient, and those who survive it generally recover fully. For an excellent and complete discussion of Broken-Heart Syndrome,
