Reversible Myocardial Depression in Survivors of Cardiac Arrest

Three patients under 40‐years old who survived cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation were originally diagnosed as having idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Shortly after cardiac arrest, assessment of myocardial function revealed a globally dilated left ventricle in each patient with an esti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pacing and clinical electrophysiology 1990-08, Vol.13 (8), p.982-985
Main Authors: DEANTONIO, HARRY J., KAUL, SANJIV, LERMAN, BRUCE B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
cardiac arrest
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated - diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Electric Countershock
Female
Heart Arrest - complications
Heart Arrest - therapy
Humans
Myocardial Contraction
myocardial stunning
Stroke Volume - physiology
Time Factors
ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular Fibrillation - complications
Ventricular Fibrillation - therapy
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Summary:Three patients under 40‐years old who survived cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation were originally diagnosed as having idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Shortly after cardiac arrest, assessment of myocardial function revealed a globally dilated left ventricle in each patient with an estimated ejection fraction between 20% and 30%. Serial assessment of myocardial function, however, showed either normal or near‐normal function by 2 weeks postevent. These findings suggest that myocardial stunning due to hypoperfusion during ventricular fibrillation or the effects of transthoracic shocks may result in profound, reversible myocardial depression in survivors of cardiac arrest. Serial evaluation of left ventricular function may be of value in selected survivors of cardiac arrest in order to evaluate time‐dependent resolution of myocardial dysfunction and may prevent misdiagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
ISSN:0147-8389
1540-8159
DOI:10.1111/j.1540-8159.1990.tb02144.x