Reversible myocardial dysfunction, a possible complication in critically ill patients without heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
Reversible myocardial dysfunction or myocardial stunning is frequently described in patients with episodes of acute coronary syndrome and has recently been reported in critically ill patients without ischaemic heart disease. This article presents a study and description of the possible existence of myocardial dysfunction in critically ill patients in our setting who present no acute episode or history of cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive study.


METHODS
The intensive care unit of a district hospital.


METHODS
The study included all patients admitted to the intensive care unit between March 1998 and March 2001 for noncardiac causes and with no history of heart disease, and who underwent echocardiographic examination for electrocardiographic changes, signs of cardiac insufficiency, persistent arrhythmias, or any other indication. Patients with sepsis or other critical illness known to be associated with myocardial dysfunction were excluded from the study. The study was carried out on those selected patients who developed myocardial dysfunction.


RESULTS
Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography were carried out to assess the left ventricular ejection fraction and any segmental contractility disturbances. These investigations were carried out within 24 hours of admission, during the first week, during the second or third week, after one month and after three to 6 months. The electrocardiogram was assessed on admission and the changes over time were studied. Thirty-three patients were included in the study after detecting myocardial dysfunction; the median age of these patients was 63 years [range, 23-82 years]. Seven patients died. The median initial left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.34 [range, 0.16-0.48] and improved with time. Segmental contractility disturbances were detected initially in all patients and also normalized with time. All patients presented electrocardiogram changes that normalised in line with the echocardiographic changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Reversible myocardial dysfunction can be develop in critically ill patients without primary heart disease. This syndrome is associated with systolic dysfunction, segmental contractility disturbances and electrocardiographic changes.
Ruiz Bailén
Manuel
M
Intensive Care Unit, Critical Care and Emergencies Department, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, Spain. ruizbailen@terra.es
Aguayo de Hoyos
Eduardo
E
López Martnez
Asunción
A
Daz Castellanos
Miguel Angel
MA
Ruiz Navarro
Silvia
S
Fierro Rosón
Luis Javier
LJ
Gómez Jiménez
Francisco Javier
FJ
Issa-Masad Khozouz
Ziad
Z
D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016638:Critical Illness; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*