Neurogenic Stunned Myocardium: A Literature Review

Abstract

Neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM) is defined as the occurrence of cardiac abnormalities due to neurological events such as stroke, seizures, etc. These events lead to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and ultimately cause injury to the myocardium. The clinical features seen in NSM include elevated troponin level, left ventricular dysfunction, and changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG). However, these features are also seen in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as well as in an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Hence, diagnosing the condition by clinical presentation alone is difficult. Thus, a patient of NSM who is at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease may require invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization to rule out ACS. This review aims at raising awareness about NSM among physicians so that management of patients can be individualized.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; autonomic nervous system; cardiomyopathy; coronary heart disease; electrocardiogram; left ventricular dysfunction; neurogenic; stroke; troponin.