Left ventricular myocardial function during the acute phase of a subarachnoid haemorrhage

Previous reports suggest that left myocardial ventricular function changes during the course of a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate left myocardial ventricular function with tissue Doppler echocardiography at two time points during the acute phase of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Eighteen consecutive patients (median 52 years, range 33-74) with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and no history of heart disease were examined at 1-5 days and at 6-11 days following ictus. Eighteen control subjects were included for comparison (52 years, 32-72).

Tissue Doppler indices of left ventricular contractility were higher in patients than in controls at both examinations (p<0.001). Indices of left ventricular stroke volume were elevated compared to controls at examination 1 (p<0.05), but not at examination 2. Early diastolic relaxation rate decreased from examination 1 to 2 (p=0.001). Three patients had increased troponin T (range 0.010-0.131 microg/l).

In patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage, systolic and diastolic function is increased compared to healthy controls, suggesting a hyperdynamic and hypervolemic circulation.