Interaction between the heart and the brain in transient global amnesia

Abstract

Background: To analyse whether patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) have concomitant cardiac injury by assessing clinical symptoms, as well as blood and cardiologic test results.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analysed 202 consecutive patients presenting with isolated TGA and treated at our institution between March 2010 and December 2018. We examined the incidence of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTNI) level elevation, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and data on clinical management.

Results: Among the TGA patients, 17 (8.4%) exhibited elevated levels of hs-cTNI. Although none of the patients had ST elevation, 12 (6.7%) showed QTc prolongation and 11 (6.1%) an inverted T wave on ECG. No typical clinical symptoms suggestive of myocardial infarction were present in any of the cases, however, 17 (8.4%) patients complained of mild somatic symptoms. Patients with hs-cTNI level elevation had a significantly greater likelihood of a history of coronary heart disease (p = 0.03) and a significantly shorter TGA duration at presentation (p < 0.01). Of the 17 patients with hs-cTNI elevation, Takotsubo syndrome was diagnosed in 2, while in the remaining 15 hs-cTNI level elevation remained unresolved. A literature review indicated the female predominance for the occurrence of cardiac involvement in TGA.

Conclusions: Although the in-hospital outcomes appear favourable in all cases reported thus far, we believe that all patients with TGA should be carefully evaluated for potential underlying cardiac involvement and comorbidity. Further research on cardiac vulnerability in TGA should attempt to develop a diagnostic algorithm and assess the potential causes of cardiac injury in TGA.

Keywords: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I; MRI; TGA; Transient global amnesia.