Reversible Myocardial Depression in Survivors of Cardiac Arrest

HARRY J. DEANTONIO, SANJIV KAUL, BRUCE B. LERMAN

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)982-985
Number of pages4
JournalPacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cardiac arrest
  • myocardial stunning
  • ventricular fibrillation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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