The American Surgeon · 2006 · 49 citations · 17 references
MedicineCardiologyNeurological SurgeryNeurocritical CareSpine SurgeryTrauma NeurosurgeryCardiac ArrhythmiasCardiac PacingCardiovascular InstabilityCervical TraumaSpinal Cord InjurySpinal TraumaCardiac PacemakersCervical Spine Injury ManagementHigh Cervical Spinal Cord InjuryPacemaker ComplicationsPacing For BradyarrhythmiasSpinal Cord Injury ComplicationsSpinal Cord Injury ManagementTraumatic Spinal Instability
Cervical spinal cord injury is a highly morbid condition frequently associated with cardiovascular instability. This instability may include bradyarrhythmias, as well as hypotension, and usually resolves in a relatively short time. However, over a 3-year period (January 2003-December, 2005), 5 of 30 patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries seen at our Level I trauma center required placement of permanent cardiac pacemakers for recurrent bradycardia/asystolic events. Strong consideration for pacemaker placement should be given for those spinal cord-injured patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmic events still occurring 2 weeks after injury.
17