Cardiac Dysfunction in Adult Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the development of myocardial dysfunction after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated incidence, risk factors, and prognostic importance of cardiac dysfunction in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after a moderate to severe TBI. METHODS: Prospective observational study of consecutive patients admitted to neuro-trauma ICU with moderate to severe TBI from August 2014 to June 2015. RESULTS: = 0.58) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac dysfunction occurs in patients after moderate to severe TBI, with mild to moderate reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients who developed cardiac dysfunction after TBI had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and higher proportion of abnormalities in electrocardiograms. Development of cardiac dysfunction was not associated with adverse clinical outcomes.