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Myocardial stunning after cerebral infarction
1Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University, Hospital, 7, Taipei, ROC.
Insights
Myocardial stunning, a cardiac event, was observed in a patient following an acute ischemic stroke. This suggests a potential link between cerebrovascular accidents and myocardial stunning, possibly due to stroke-related sympathetic surges.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Myocardial stunning is typically associated with ischemia or reperfusion injury.
- Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are not commonly linked to myocardial stunning.
- The relationship between stroke and cardiac events requires further investigation.
Observation:
- A patient experienced inferior wall hypokinesis, ST-segment elevations, and Q waves post-acute right hemisphere ischemic stroke.
- These cardiac abnormalities suggest myocardial stunning.
Findings:
- The patient's cardiac abnormalities resolved completely within 5 days.
- Stroke-related sympathetic nervous system surge is hypothesized as the cause of coronary vasospasm, leading to myocardial stunning.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential, previously undescribed complication of cerebrovascular accidents.
- It suggests that stroke-induced autonomic dysregulation can manifest as cardiac events.
- Further research is warranted to explore the cardioneurology of stroke patients.
Abstract:
Myocardial stunning has not been described in patients with cerebrovascular accidents. We present a patient in whom inferior wall hypokinesis, ST-segment elevations and Q waves developed after acute right hemisphere ischemic stroke. Total recovery ensued within 5 days. Coronary vasospasm induced by stroke-related sympathetic surge might be the cause of this cardiac event.