Cardiovascular complications and its relationship with functional outcomes in Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a monophasic disease characterized by acute polyradiculoneuropathy.


AIM
This study investigated cardiovascular complications in patients with GBS and their relationship with outcomes.


DESIGN AND METHODS
We included 96 patients, who were diagnosed with GBS according to Brighton case definitions. All enrolled patients were evaluated according to a predetermined algorithm, which included nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electrocardiography, 2D echo, cardiac markers, and autonomic function testing.


RESULTS
We enrolled a total of 96 patients. The mean age of patients was 35.75±17.66 years. Furthermore, 54.2% of patients developed cardiovascular complications, of which changes in ECG findings (50%), hypertension(28.12%), labile hypertension(12.5), tachycardia(26.04), bradycardia(13.54%), and a fluctuating heart rate(11.46) were common. Other cardiovascular complications seen in GBS patients were Increased pro-BNP(26.04%), raised troponin T levels(3.12%), acute coronary syndrome(2.08%), heart failure(2.08%) and abnormal 2D echo findings(8.33%). The results of the univariate analysis revealed that a history of preceding infection, a Medical Research Council sum score, neck muscle weakness, facial nerve involvement, bulbar involvement, respiratory failure, cardiovascular complications, autonomic dysfunction, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy subtype, and baseline Hughes score were significantly (P < 0.005) associated with poor outcomes. However, none of these factors were found to be independently associated with poor outcomes in the multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSION
A considerable number of patients with GBS developed cardiovascular complications and it needs attention.