[Elevated troponin and ECG alterations in acute ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Nervenarzt. 2008 Dec;79(12):1386, 1388-90, 1392-4, passim. doi: 10.1007/s00115-008-2541-z.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Vascular diseases are the most common cause of death and disability in industrialised countries. Ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease frequently coexist in one patient. Therefore it is not surprising that raised troponin levels and ECG changes are detected comparatively often in acute stroke; however these changes do not always indicate myocardial infarction. Clinical and experimental data suggest that some kind of neurologically mediated myocardial injury exists--especially in subarachnoid hemorrhage--but not as a manifestation of concomitant ischaemic heart disease. This review summarises the frequency and possible pathophysiological mechanisms. In any case, raised troponin levels and ECG changes after acute stroke are of negative prognostic value, and a cardiological diagnostic work-up should be done.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / blood
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / blood supply
  • Cerebral Infarction / blood
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Infarction / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / blood
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / blood
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Troponin C / blood*
  • Troponin I / blood*

Substances

  • Troponin C
  • Troponin I