Electrocardiographic Changes and Tissue Catecholamines in Experimental Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Abstract

Experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage in rabbits induces changes in cardiac rate and rhythm comparable with those observed in human patients with intracranial haemorrhage. Biochemical and histological signs of myocardial damage were absent. A causal relationship between tissue catecholamine changes and the electrocardiographic disturbances is suggested by the blocking effect of propranolol and cocaine.