Detection of myocardial dysfunction in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, using echocardiography, ECG changes and troponin levels

Background Acute stroke is frequently accompanied by electrocardiographic abnormalities and high serum troponin levels. These might be an indication of so-called neurogenic myocardial damage. Goal and objectives: The present study aims to detect any cardiac dysfunction and myopathy secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) using echocardiographic changes such as left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (decrease in ejection fraction) by M Mode or Simpson’s method, and ECG changes as, prolonged QT interval, ST-segment changes, T wave inversion changes, and any arrhythmias. Patients and method This observational prospective research had been carried out on 50 consecutive patients admitted over 6 months with ICH at critical care departments at Al-Kasr Al-Ainy hospital—Cairo University, and Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital. Results LV systolic dysfunction was only detected in deep lesions while LV wall motion abnormality was detected in lobar and deep lesions. ST-segment elevation was only detected in deep lesions. There had been a correlation between hemorrhage site and Echocardiographic changes and ECG changes ( P =0.030 and 0.035, respectively) with no significant relationship between hemorrhage site and troponin I. Conclusion Troponin I level was significantly higher 5 days after admission than at admission. There was an insignificant relationship between traumatic and nontraumatic ICH as regard echocardiographic changes, ECG changes, and troponin I level.