Complete atrioventricular block associated with non-penetrating cardiac trauma in a 40-year-old man

Myocardial contusion is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma. Transient conduction and rhythm problems, right ventricular dysfunction, or pulmonary embolism may occur after chest trauma, but these complications almost always occur early in the post-operative period.

The objective is to describe a case illustrating that trauma may induce high-grade atrioventricular block.

We report the case of a patient who developed delayed onset of complete atrioventricular block after transient complete atrioventricular block and alternating bundle branch block secondary to blunt chest trauma.

Even with an injury that does not seem to be caused by direct penetrating trauma to the heart, maybe every trauma patient needs an electrocardiographic evaluation. It is important to note that myocardial healing is a continuous process after trauma, and additional pathology may be revealed later in the course of healing from myocardial contusion.