Prospective Analysis of Role of hsTnT and NT-proBNP in Prediction of Neurogenic Stress Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy (NSC), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC), is a significant complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and an important contributor to morbidity mortality. OBJECTIVE: This prospective observational study assessed whether the high sensitive troponin T (hsTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) helps in the prediction of NSC after SAH. METHODS: The consecutive patients with aSAH without any cardiac history were included prospectively over 12 months. Neurological assessment for the grade of SAH (Hunt & Hess and WFNS grade), electrocardiogram, and echocardiography done at admission. The serial measurements of serum hsTnT and NTproBNP for consecutive 7 days done. The NSC is defined as transient hypokinesia of the ventricular wall on echocardiography. RESULTS: The study included 69 patients, and 7 (10.1%) were diagnosed with NSC. The NSC had a positive correlation with Hunt and Hess grade (P = 0.010), and the serum levels of hsTnT and NTproBNP were higher in patients with NSC in comparison to without NSC over all 7 days. The peak levels of hsTnT and NTproBNP were significantly higher in patients with cardiomyopathy (P = 0.000 and 0.032, respectively). The best cut-off level of peak hsTnT was 0.032 pg/dl to predict cardiomyopathy with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 80%, respectively, and NTproBNP was 430.6 ng/dL with sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The peak levels of hsTnT and NTproBNP with abnormal ECG and echocardiography at admission help identify NSC in the early phase of aSAH.