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Bradycardia with traumatic hyphema in children
J N Cohn1, D Scagliotti, T A Deutsch
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago.
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Traumatic hyphema in children can cause bradyarrhythmias, a common physiological response. These heart rhythm irregularities typically resolve on their own over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Traumatic hyphema is a common eye injury in children.
- Bradyarrhythmias are sometimes observed in patients with traumatic hyphema.
- The clinical significance of these arrhythmias is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and significance of cardiac arrhythmias in pediatric patients with traumatic hyphema.
- To compare nocturnal cardiac rhythms before and after resolution of traumatic hyphema.
Main Methods:
- Eleven pediatric patients (aged 4-18 years) with traumatic hyphema underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring.
- Blood pressure was monitored concurrently to assess hemodynamic significance.
- Cardiac monitoring was repeated in six patients after 3 months.
Main Results:
- Ten out of eleven patients experienced episodes of bradycardia and bradyarrhythmias.
- Bradycardia was not hemodynamically significant based on blood pressure readings.
- Minimum heart rates were significantly lower immediately following eye injury compared to 3 months later (p = .03).
Conclusions:
- Episodes of bradyarrhythmias are a common physiological response to traumatic hyphema in pediatric patients.
- These cardiac rhythm disturbances appear to resolve spontaneously.
- A direct relationship between bradyarrhythmias and somnolence was not established by this study.