Cardiology in review
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Cardiology in review · Jul 2006
Case ReportsCharacteristics of patients with cervical spinal injury requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.
Acute cervical spinal cord injury frequently results in bradydysrhythmia, which may lead to hypotension and asystole. Such symptoms are more common in the first 2 weeks after the injury. Treatment modalities include atropine, epinephrine, aminophylline, and pacemaker insertion. ⋯ In 2 of the 3 patients, transcutaneous pacing failed to provide adequate protection. Transcutaneous pacemakers are not reliable, as was the case of these patients, and early consideration for transvenous pacemaker insertion may be indicated, especially in hemodynamically unstable patients. In this report, all 3 patients required permanent pacemaker implantation.