Elevated levels of troponins and acute ischemic stroke - a challenge for the cardiologist?

[Elevated troponin and ECG alterations in acute ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Vascular diseases are the most common cause of death and disability in industrialised countries. Ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease frequently coexist in one patient. Therefore it is not surprising that raised troponin levels and ECG changes are detected comparatively often in acute stroke; however these changes do not always indicate myocardial infarction. Clinical and experimental data suggest that some kind of neurologically mediated myocardial injury exists--especially in subarachnoid hemorrhage--but not as a manifestation of concomitant ischaemic heart disease. This review summarises the frequency and possible pathophysiological mechanisms. In any case, raised troponin levels and ECG changes after acute stroke are of negative prognostic value, and a cardiological diagnostic work-up should be done.