Electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting myocardial infarction in a patient with severe cranial trauma

T-wave inversion after a severe head injury without ischemic heart disease

Electrocardiographic changes mimicking an acute coronary event with T-wave inversion have been reported in the resting electrocardiogram in patients without ischemic heart disease but with acute ischemic stroke, or subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intracerebral hemorrhage, or a severe head injury. We present a case of T-wave inversion in a 73-year-old Italian woman admitted to the Emergency Department following a severe head injury. Pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and acute coronary event were excluded. Ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage were also excluded. Also this case focuses attention on T-wave inversion after a severe head injury without ischemic heart disease.

Intensive management of severe head injury

Intensive management of patients with severe head injury offers the best hope of minimizing death and functional disability in a young, working population. Secondary neurologic insult can be decreased by cardiorespiratory support and ICP control from the outset. Rapid neurologic assessment, airway management, and support of circulation are the basis of emergency management for head injury. Patients with severe head injury require intensive care management for two major reasons: management of ICP and management of organ system dysfunction. Care should not be withheld because of initially grim (and inaccurate) prognostic assessment. Newer techniques for assessing the adequacy of cerebral circulation may allow refinement of management strategies in the future.