Open AccessSudden cardiac arrest after late permanent pacemaker implantation in a heart transplant patient
Author(s) -
Yavuzer Koza,
Oğuzhan Birdal,
Sidar Şiyar Aydın,
Ferih Ozcanlı,
Hakan Taş
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
heart, vessels and transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1694-7894
pISSN - 1694-7886
DOI - 10.24969/hvt.2021.259
Subject(s) - medicine , bradycardia , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , heart transplantation , anesthesia , sinus bradycardia , transplantation , resuscitation , cardiology , surgery , heart rate , blood pressure
Bradycardia during the early period following heart transplantation frequently occurs with an incidence of 14 to 44% and it is usually self-limited. The incidence of late bradycardia (from 30 days to more than 5 or 6 months after transplantation) has been reported to be 1.5%. A 33-year-old male patient with a history of orthotopic heart transplantation in 2013 presented with complaints of dizziness and near syncope. A DDDR permanent pacemaker was implanted for sinus pauses exceeding 3 seconds recorded on Holter examination. Shortly after the procedure, he developed sudden cardiovascular collapse. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed and a pulse steroid treatment (2 grams of methylprednisolone) was given. After 2 days, the patient was extubated. While making preparations for re-transplantation, cardiopulmonary arrest developed again and he died. Sinus pause may be a clue for rejection and is an important finding in predicting clinical course.