Brain-heart interaction in acute stroke

Abstract

The article highlights the main pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular disorders in acute cerebral stroke, which include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, disorders of autonomic regulation of cardiac activity, immune response, and deterioration in the cardiovascular system in case of existing structural, organic lesions of the heart and blood vessels, which in turn can exacerbate the development of cerebral damage. Literature data on clinical, electrophysiological, and biochemical changes in the cardiovascular system in stroke are presented, in particular, depending on the area of brain damage. Attention is focused on possible hemodynamic disturbances, electrocardiographic changes in the heart, increased levels of cardiac troponins, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein. Complications that arise in this category of patients are of great clinical importance and significantly affect the course of the disease and further prognosis, which requires close attention not only from neurologists but also from doctors of related specialties.