“Broken heart syndrome” Cardiovascular manifestations of traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Cardiovascular dysfunction frequently complicates outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. TBI results in dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system (mediated by catecholamines), altered systemic circulation homeostasis medicated by neurogenic stimuli, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic abnormities, and change in serum cardiac enzyme levels (not attributed to primary cardiac pathology). The present review attempts to find cardiovascular alterations following TBI, management to these patients, and their outcome.

Keywords

• cardiac manifestations
• stunned myocardium
• traumatic brain injury