Neurogenic Stress Cardiomyopathy After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy (NSC) is a known complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Detailed analyses of risk factors for its occurrence across large cohorts are relatively sparse.

A consecutive group of 300 patients with aneurysmal SAH was reviewed for the presence of markers of myocardial injury, including electrocardiogram changes (long QT, T-wave inversion), elevated plasma troponin levels (≥0.1), and echocardiogram findings (decreased ejection fraction and wall motion abnormalities). NSC was defined as the presence of at least 1 marker of myocardial injury. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the correlation of NSC and individual markers of myocardial injury with age, gender, medical comorbidities, medications, current smoking status, Hunt-Hess grade, and Fisher grade. Medical comorbidities were assessed based on reported medical history or reported use of comorbidity-specific medications at the time of presentation.

Across the cohort, 27% of patients had a plasma troponin elevation of at least 0.1; 13%, a prolonged QT interval; 16%, new T-wave inversions; 18%, a depressed ejection fraction (<55%); and 15%, echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities. After a multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for NSC included higher Hunt-Hess grade on presentation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.33, P = 4.52 × 10(-6)), current smoking status (OR = 2.00, P = 0.030), and older age (OR = 1.03, P = 0.048). Hypertension was protective against NSC (OR = 0.48, P = 0.031). Patient gender, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary artery disease, statin use, beta blocker use, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use, aspirin use, and thicker SAH (Fisher grade 3) were not significant risk factors for NSC.

Higher Hunt-Hess grade, current smoking status, lack of hypertension, and older age were the strongest predictors of NSC.