[Takotsubo cardiomyopathy].

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or transient apical ballooning syndrome of the left ventricle, affects women after menopause often after mental or physical stress. Mimicking clinical, electrocardiographic and biological features of an acute coronary syndrome, it requires admission to the intensive care unit and an immediate coronary angiography, which will show the absence of coronary occlusion or rupture of atheromatous plaque. Echocardiogram, left ventriculography if performed, and magnetic resonance imaging will confirm the left ventricular deformation and impairment of systolic function, and the absence of myocardial infarction. Evolution is usually towards recovery of ventricular deformation, and improvement of systolic function, but complications in the acute phase, and recurrences are possible. Treatment is not yet standardised and should include psychological care.