Stroke and ventricular arrhythmias

Electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias are commonly noted after acute stroke. Risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias is increased after a stroke and is associated with sudden cardiac death. Autonomic imbalance modulated by direct injury to neurogenic structures and enhanced by catecholamine storm can lead to myocardial damage and arrhythmogenesis. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that insular cortex infarcts …