Cardiac abnormalities after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: effects of β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Background: Cardiac abnormalities attributed to adrenergic surge are common after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Prescribed medications that block adrenergic stimulation may suppress the onset of cardiopulmonary compromise in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of early cardiac complications between patients who reported prescribed use of β-blockers and/or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors before aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and patients who did not.