[Recurrent syncope after blunt trauma of the thorax].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 35-year-old patient presented with a non-penetrating chest trauma due to an automobile accident. Examinations showed a trauma of the left shoulder (reversed Hill-Sachs lesion). After diagnostic procedures, he underwent surgery four weeks later. During the hospital stay, the patient developed angina pectoris, dizziness and syncopes.

INVESTIGATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS: When the patient was transferred to our institution a 12-leads electrocardiogram and blood analysis were unremarkable. Cardiac catheterization revealed a relaxation disorder of the left ventricular anterior wall with normal coronaries. The Holter-ECG detected with occasional attacks of dizziness and recurrent syncopes concurrent with intermittent episodes of high-degree atrioventricular block and supraventricular tachycardias. This led to the diagnosis of myocardial contusion with long term symptomatic arrhythmias.

TREATMENT AND COURSE: Since syncopes and arrhythmias persisted over several weeks following myocardial contusion a combined therapy with a dual chamber pacemaker and beta-blocker was initiated.

CONCLUSION

ECG monitoring after blunt chest trauma in the early period and after several days is mandatory to screen and prevent potentially life threatening posttraumatic arrhythmias.