Burn-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction: A Brief Review and Long-Term Consequences for Cardiologists in Clinical Practice.

Background: Severe burn injury is a specific type of trauma, which induces a unique complex of responses in the body and leads to an extreme increase in stress hormones and proinflammatory cytokines. These hypermetabolic and stress responses are desirable in the acute phase but can persist for several years and lead - due to several mechanisms - to many late complications, including myocardial dysfunction.

Methods: The databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States, and Google Scholar were searched. Studies relevant to the topic of late cardiovascular dysfunction after burn injury were compiled using key words.

Results: Burn-induced heart disease significantly increases morbidity and mortality and contributes to the reduction in the quality of life of patients after severe burn trauma. A variety of mechanisms causing myocardial dysfunction after burn trauma have been detailed but understanding all of the exact consequences is limited, especially regarding chronic cardiovascular changes.

Conclusion: A detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic cardiac changes can contribute to a comprehensive and preventive treatment plan and improve long-term outcomes of burn patients.