Neurogenic stunned myocardium associated with acute spinal cord infarction: a case report.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
Introduction. Neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM) is a reversible cardiomyopathy resulting in transient left ventricular apical ballooning presumed to result from catecholamine surge occurring under physiologic stress. Acute spinal cord ischemia is a rare ischemic vascular lesion. We report a case of neurogenic stunned myocardium occurring in the setting of acute spinal cord infarction. Methods. Singe case report was used. Results. We present the case of a 63-year-old female with a history of prior lacunar stroke, hypertension, chronic back pain, and hypothyroidism who presented with a brief episode of diffuse abdominal and bilateral lower extremity pain which progressed within minutes to bilateral lower extremity flaccid paralysis. MRI of the spinal cord revealed central signal hyperintensity of T2-weighted imaging from conus to T8 region, concerning for acute spinal cord ischemia. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed to determine if a cardiac embolic phenomenon may have precipitated this ischemic event and showed left ventricular apical hypokinesis and ballooning concerning for NSM. Conclusion. Neurogenic stunned myocardium is a reversible cardiomyopathy which has been described in patients with physiologic stress resulting in ventricular apical ballooning. Our case suggests that it is possible for neurogenic stunned myocardium to occur in the setting of acute spinal cord ischemia.
Volume
2012
First Page
439528
Last Page
439528
ISSN
2090-6420
Published In/Presented At
Beauchamp GA, McMullan JT, Bonomo JB. Neurogenic stunned myocardium associated with acute spinal cord infarction: a case report. Case Rep Crit Care. 2012;2012:439528. doi: 10.1155/2012/439528. Epub 2012 Feb 28.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
24804117
Department(s)
Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Toxicology Division
Document Type
Article