Cardiac Manifestations of Acute Neurologic Lesions

Cardiac abnormalities after acute neurologic injury include a broad range of findings from transient electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities to profound myocardial injury and dysfunction. This chapter briefly outlines the cardiac manifestations after acute neurologic injury, specifically ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. In addition, the neurophysiology and neuroanatomy of cardiac control is reviewed. Lastly, the clinical implications and diagnostic and treatment recommendations are discussed for the most common cardiac complications such as cardiac arrhythmias, ECG changes, myocardial injury and dysfunction, and elevated plasma biomarkers.