Mohamad Soud1, Abdulah Alrifai2, Amjad Kabach3, Zaher Fanari4, M Chadi Alraies5. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. 2. Department of Cardiology, University of Miami/JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, FL. 3. Cardiovascular Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE. 4. Interventional Cardiology, Heartland Cardiology/Wesley Medical Center, University of Kansas, Wichita, KS. 5. Department of Interventional Cardiology, Detroit Heart Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Electrical disturbances following blunt cardiac injuries are rare but can be caused by electrical or structural damage to the heart. We present the case of a patient who had conduction abnormalities following blunt traumatic injury that were incidentally detected on telemetry. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old female with no history of cardiac disease was brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision that resulted in chest wall bruising. The patient was found to have L-spine fractures and was admitted for observation. During her hospitalization, the patient had multiple episodes of heart block. A temporary pacemaker was inserted because of the recurrent episodes, and a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker was placed on day 4 of her hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Heart block as a consequence of blunt cardiac injury is rare; however, it needs to be recognized as early as possible. Permanent pacemaker placement is usually indicated for patients with prolonged or recurrent episodes.
BACKGROUND: Electrical disturbances following blunt cardiac injuries are rare but can be caused by electrical or structural damage to the heart. We present the case of a patient who had conduction abnormalities following blunt traumatic injury that were incidentally detected on telemetry. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old female with no history of cardiac disease was brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision that resulted in chest wall bruising. The patient was found to have L-spine fractures and was admitted for observation. During her hospitalization, the patient had multiple episodes of heart block. A temporary pacemaker was inserted because of the recurrent episodes, and a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker was placed on day 4 of her hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Heart block as a consequence of blunt cardiac injury is rare; however, it needs to be recognized as early as possible. Permanent pacemaker placement is usually indicated for patients with prolonged or recurrent episodes.
Authors: Michele Brignole; Angelo Auricchio; Gonzalo Baron-Esquivias; Pierre Bordachar; Giuseppe Boriani; Ole-A Breithardt; John Cleland; Jean-Claude Deharo; Victoria Delgado; Perry M Elliott; Bulent Gorenek; Carsten W Israel; Christophe Leclercq; Cecilia Linde; Lluís Mont; Luigi Padeletti; Richard Sutton; Panos E Vardas Journal: Europace Date: 2013-06-24 Impact factor: 5.214
Authors: M S Link; P J Wang; N G Pandian; S Bharati; J E Udelson; M Y Lee; M A Vecchiotti; B A VanderBrink; G Mirra; B J Maron; N A Estes Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1998-06-18 Impact factor: 91.245