Transient right bundle branch block: A rare manifestation in cardiac contusion. Issue 4 (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Subramanyam, Pritha; Devanabanda, Arvind Reddy; Slater, William R.; Vorsanger, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiology cases. Volume 13:Issue 4(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Cardiac contusion -- Right bundle branch block -- Troponin -- Cardiac arrhythmias; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Case Reports; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Case Reports; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2015.12.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1878-5409

Abstract

Abstract: Transient right bundle branch block following blunt cardiac injury is a known but under-recognized manifestation of cardiac contusion. The first case documented in the medical literature occurred in 1952 in a 22-year-old man who was thrown from a motorcycle. Due to their relatively anterior location, the right ventricle and right bundle branch are at particular risk of injury in contusion. We present here a case in which a 24-year-old man suffered a blunt chest trauma leading to a right bundle branch block and elevated troponin levels, consistent with cardiac contusion. His conduction system abnormalities rapidly resolved and he recovered completely, with no clinical sequelae. <Learning objective: Cardiac contusion is a heterogeneous syndrome with widely variable clinical manifestations and severity. Transient right bundle branch block has been described as a self-limited and benign manifestation of cardiac contusion. This case highlights the need for a better understanding of the natural history and predictors of serious complications of cardiac contusion, which can aid in determining appropriate diagnostic studies, risk stratification, and treatment.>