How the brain impacts the heart: lessons from ischaemic stroke and other neurological disorders

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cardiovascular complications frequently occur after acute brain disorders, including stroke and seizures.
• These cardiac issues significantly contribute to patient morbidity and mortality.
• The concept of 'stroke-heart syndrome' links post-stroke cardiac complications to a disturbed brain-heart axis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cardiac changes following ischemic stroke and other acute brain disorders.
• To examine Takotsubo syndrome as a model for brain-heart interaction disturbances.
• To outline the anatomical and functional connections between the brain and heart, focusing on the autonomic nervous system and inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on cardiovascular alterations post-acute brain injury.
• Analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying stroke-heart syndrome.
• Exploration of the neuro-anatomical and inflammatory pathways connecting brain and heart.

Main Results:

• Acute brain injury leads to a spectrum of cardiac complications, including cardiomyocyte damage, ECG changes, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
• Takotsubo syndrome serves as a key example of disturbed brain-heart interaction.
• The autonomic network and inflammatory processes are critical in mediating brain-heart communication.

Conclusions:

• Stroke-heart syndrome highlights the significant impact of acute brain injury on cardiac health.
• Enhanced clinical awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration between neurology and cardiology are essential.
• Targeted therapeutic interventions are needed to mitigate the adverse cardiac effects of brain injury.