Pulmonary edema and cardiac dysfunction following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Can J Neurol Sci. 2005 May;32(2):178-85. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100003942.

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary edema (PE) can occur in the early or late period following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The incidence of each type of PE is unknown and the association with ventricular dysfunction, both systolic and diastolic, has not been described.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 178 consecutive patients with SAH surgically treated over a three-year period. Patients with pulmonary edema diagnosed by a radiologist were included. Early onset SAH was defined as occurring within 12 hours. Cardiac function at the time of the PE was analyzed using hemodynamic and echocardiographic criteria of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Pulmonary edema was observed in 42 patients (28.8%) and was more often delayed (89.4%). Evidence of cardiac involvement during PE varied between 40 to 100%.

Results and conclusions: Pulmonary edema occurs in 28.8% of patients after SAH, and is most commonly delayed. Cardiac dysfunction, both systolic and diastolic, is commonly observed during SAH and could contribute to the genesis of PE after SAH.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional
  • Female
  • Heart / innervation
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / epidemiology*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / epidemiology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Pulmonary Edema / epidemiology*
  • Pulmonary Edema / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Time Factors