Page 114 - Cardiac abnormalities after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

to patients with normal cardiac function. Although decreased autoregulation could be an explanation, pathophysiological conclusions cannot be drawn.
In Chapter 6 we describe the results of a histopathological study. In this study we sought for evidence that the mononuclear cellular infiltration that is found in the myocardium of patients with aSAH might be a myocarditis. We compared post- mortem myocardium of patients who died from aSAH with controls. We found a markedly increase in inflammatory cells in patient with aSAH. Furthermore, we found evidence of thrombi and myocytolysis. This study supports the theory that catecholaminergic stress causes a myocarditis and gives direction to future research.
Finally, in Chapter 7 we summarize the main conclusions of this thesis and put the findings into perspective of literature. We elaborate on available literature, put the findings of the thesis into context and describe possible etiologic factors for stress induced cardiac dysfunction. We describe clinical implications of this thesis, limitations of the studies and suggest direction for future research.
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