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Cortisol dynamics are associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities following the aneurysmal subarachnoid

Julius July1, Suryani As'ad, F X Budhianto Suhadi

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty of Pelita Harapan University, Lippo Village Tangerang, Neuroscience Centre Siloam Hospital, Lippo Village Tangerang, Indonesia.

Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
|December 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Electrocardiographic abnormalities after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are linked to elevated morning cortisol levels within four days post-surgery. This finding suggests a connection between stress hormones and cardiac complications in SAH patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are frequent after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), indicating potential cardiovascular stress.
  • Understanding the physiological response to SAH is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cortisol levels and ECG abnormalities in patients with aneurysmal SAH.
  • To explore the dynamics of cortisol in relation to the disease course and cardiac stress following SAH.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 44 aneurysmal SAH patients undergoing surgery within 72 hours were studied for 10 days.
  • Serum cortisol, cortisol-binding globulin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 2, 4, 7, and 10.
  • ECG and cardiac troponin T levels were monitored to assess cardiac stress and myocyte necrosis.

Main Results:

  • ECG abnormalities were observed in 22.7% of patients.
  • Abnormal cardiac troponin T levels were found in eight patients, with two cases resulting in mortality.
  • ECG abnormalities showed a significant association with total cortisol on day 4 (P < 0.05) and free cortisol on day 2 (P = 0.0065).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated morning cortisol levels in the initial four days post-surgery are associated with ECG abnormalities in SAH patients.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the cardiovascular complications of SAH.
Abstract

Keywords:
Aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhageElectrocardiographic abnormalitycortisol dynamicneurological deficitsoutcome

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