Cardiac Arrhythmias Resulting from Experimental Head Injury.
Abstract
The cardiovascular events resulting from experimental head injury were studied to determine the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and to define the autonomic mechanisms responsible for these changes. The electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure were recorded in anesthetized monkeys before and after the animals were subjected to temporoparietal head impact. Cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension occurred immediately following impact in every animal studied. Various A-V nodal and ventricular arrhythmias were seen. Cholinergic blockade was found to prevent arrhythmias induced by head injury whereas adrenergic blockade was found to be ineffective. These results suggest that in human head injury, the cardiovascular events alone may be life-threatening. Since head trauma is a common cause of injury and death of military personnel in both combat and peacetime situations, early evaluation of the cardiovascular status of the head injured patient should be stressed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA033407
Entities
People
- D. E. Evans
- E. N. Gunby
- L. J. Parkhurst
- S. A. Shatsky
- W. A. Alter Iii
Organizations
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute