Cardiovascular complications of brain injury

Cardiovascular complications are common after brain injury and associated with increased mor-bidity and mortality.1,2 The spectrum of abnor-malities includes hypertension, hypotension, ECG changes, cardiac arrhythmias, release of biomarkers of cardiac injury, and left ventricu-lar (LV) dysfunction. The abnormalities are usually reversible and management should therefore focus on general supportive care and on treatment of the underlying brain injury. Pathophysiology Neurogenic cardiac injury is related to brain injury-induced catecholamine and neuroinflam-matory responses,3 and is more likely in those with the most severe neurological insult