Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
08:42

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China

Published on: February 11, 2022

Complete atrioventricular block with bradycardia after craniotomy

Shun-Chin Yang1, Wen-Kuei Chang, Hui-Bih Yuan

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Acta Anaesthesiologica Taiwanica : Official Journal of the Taiwan Society of Anesthesiologists
|September 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

An 82-year-old patient developed complete atrioventricular block after surgery. Prompt pacemaker insertion restored heart rate, highlighting the need for rapid management of this rare complication.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Craniotomy is a major neurosurgical procedure.
  • Postoperative cardiac complications, though rare, can be severe.

Observation:

  • An 82-year-old male developed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) with severe bradycardia one hour post-craniotomy.
  • The patient had no prior history of syncope or arrhythmias.

Findings:

  • Emergency transvenous pacemaker placement successfully restored the patient's heart rate.
  • Cardiac enzyme assays, echocardiography, and digoxin levels ruled out myocardial infarction, injury, or drug toxicity.

Implications:

  • Neurogenic heart disorders, heightened vagal tone, and advanced age may predispose patients to CAVB after craniotomy.
  • Complete atrioventricular block is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of craniotomy requiring immediate intervention.

More Related Videos

Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction06:57

Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction

Published on: January 31, 2019

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation11:21

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: May 29, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias01:18

Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
Decreased pulse rate01:14

Decreased pulse rate

Bradycardia is a medical condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal. It occurs when the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node, generates slower electrical impulses than the standard rhythm. In adults, bradycardia is diagnosed when the pulse rate falls below 60 beats per minute, indicating a deviation from the normal heart rate range.
There are specific risk factors that can elevate the likelihood of developing bradycardia. Advanced age is a significant factor, with bradycardia...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management01:28

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...