Background There are limited data regarding the development of myocardial dysfunction after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated incidence, risk factors, and prognostic importance of cardiac dysfunction in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after a moderate to severe TBI.

Methods Prospective observational study of consecutive patients admitted to neuro-trauma ICU with moderate to severe TBI from August 2014 to June 2015.

Results A total of 46 patients were included. Patients’ mean (±SD) age was 44.7 (±20.7) years and mean Glasgow Coma Scale value was 5.6 (±3). Motor vehicle accident was the most common mechanism of TBI, with subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages as the most common pathologies. Cardiac dysfunction developed in 6 of 46 (13%) patients. Patients with cardiac dysfunction had higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (50% vs. 10%, P = 0.03) and higher proportion of electrocardiogram abnormalities (83% vs. 27%, P = 0.02) compared to the patients without cardiac dysfunction. Mean Glasgow Coma Scale scores were not significantly different between patients who developed cardiac dysfunction from those who did not (5.5 vs. 5.6, P = 0.95). Requirement for vasopressor support (33.3% vs. 40%, P = 1.0) and median ventilator days (5.2 vs. 4.7, P = 0.9) were similar between patients with and without cardiac dysfunction. There were no significant differences in hospital lengths of stay (12.3 vs. 13.8 days, P = 0.34) and hospital mortality (33% vs. 17.5%, P = 0.58) between the two groups.

Conclusions Cardiac dysfunction occurs in patients after moderate to severe TBI, with mild to moderate reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients who developed cardiac dysfunction after TBI had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and higher proportion of abnormalities in electrocardiograms. Development of cardiac dysfunction was not associated with adverse clinical outcomes.