Suspected neurogenic myocardial stunning following traumatic brain injury in a dog

Abstract

An eight-year-old male Chihuahua was presented for a cardiac evaluation after sustaining head trauma. New mitral regurgitation, left cardiac dilation, and systolic and diastolic dysfunction were present. Normalisation of cardiac dimensions and function was apparent within 12 days. Findings were consistent with myocardial stunning. The authors hypothesise head trauma–induced neurogenic myocardial stunning, a phenomenon observed in humans after traumatic brain injury but not previously reported in dogs.