myocardial stunning


myocardial stunning

A term of art for prolonged, nonpermanent, post-ischaemic, systolic and/or diastolic ventricular dysfunction without myocardial necrosis. In myocardial stunning (MS), the myocardium is viable and has contractile reserve. MS may follow successful thrombolytic therapy in evolving acute MI, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, during exercise, and after relief of ischaemia caused by vasospasm.
 
Pathogenesis
Uncertain; MS has been attributed to oxidative stress, or to a transient increase in intracellular calcium.

myocardial stunning

Stunning Cardiology Prolonged nonpermanent postischemic systolic and/or diastolic ventricular dysfunction without myocardial necrosis; MS may follow successful thrombolytic therapy in evolving MI, PCTA, during exercise, and after relief of ischemia caused by vasospasm. Cf Myocardial hibernation.

my·o·car·di·al stun·ning

(mīō-kahrdē-ăl stŭning) Decreased myocardial contractility occuring in noninfarcted areas due to excess production of free radicals in infarcted areas.

Myocardial stunning

A reversible state of left ventricular dysfunction featuring chest pain, dyspnoea, ECG changes, and sometimes hypotension or heart failure requiring supportive measures. The condition may be precipitated by sudden severe emotional stress and in these cases the levels of catecholamines may be up to 30 times normal.