Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:28
A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
19.6K
Impact of Cardiac Pacemaker Implantation in Patients With Acute Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Maru Kim1,2, Matthew Firek1, Bruno Cammarota Coimbra1,3
1Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center, Riverside University Health System, Moreno Valley, CA, USA.
The American Surgeon
|April 30, 2024
Summary
Pacemaker implantation in cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) patients with bradycardia significantly reduces mortality. Despite higher initial complication risks, pacemakers improve survival rates for these critically ill individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Refractory bradycardia is a complication of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI).
- The impact of cardiac pacemaker implantation on outcomes in CSCI patients is not well-established.
- Evidence is needed to evaluate pacemaker use in CSCI patients with bradycardia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of pacemaker implantation on mortality in CSCI patients.
- To evaluate the effect of pacemakers on hospital resource utilization in CSCI patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of adult CSCI patients from the 2016-2019 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database.
- Comparison of outcomes between patients who received a pacemaker and those who did not.
Main Results:
- A total of 6774 CSCI cases were analyzed.
- The pacemaker group had higher rates of in-hospital cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, and longer mechanical ventilation and ICU stays.
- Pacemaker placement was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (4.2% vs 26.0%, P < .01).
Conclusions:
- CSCI patients requiring pacemakers demonstrated improved survival compared to those without.
- Pacemaker implantation is recommended for CSCI patients who develop refractory bradycardia.
