Oculocardiac reflex induced by zygomatic fracture; a case report

• Published in: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 106 - 109
• Main Authors: Kosaka, Masaaki, Asamura, Sin-ichi, Kamiishi, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Bradycardia - etiology; Bradycardia - therapy; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Cardiology. Vascular system; Dentistry; Electrocardiography; Ent, stomatology, face, injuries. Foreign bodies. Diseases due to physical agents: otorhinolaryngology; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Orbit - diagnostic imaging; Orbit - innervation; Pacemaker, Artificial; Reflex, Oculocardiac; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Zygomatic Fractures - complications; Zygomatic Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Human; Arrhythmia; Induction; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Cardiovascular disease; Male; Fracture; Trauma; Excitability disorder; Oculocardiac reflex; Case study; Bradycardia; Heart disease; Young adult; Zygomatic arch; ENT disease; Complication
• ISSN: 1010-5182; 1878-4119
• DOI: 10.1054/jcms.2000.0107

Oculocardiac reflex has been recognized as the result of mechanical stimulation to the orbital tissue. The authors encountered a case of severe arrhythmia due to oculocardiac reflex in a patient with a zygomatic fracture. Previous health examinations suggested no abnormalities in the heart in his schooldays, and the initial diagnosis of his arrhythmia as complete A–V block due to injury (using ECG and cardiac ultrasonography). Because his arrhythmia did not improve spontaneously, he underwent cardiac pacing. After repair of the fracture, his arrhythmia completely disappeared. The pacemaker was removed on the first postoperative day. The pathogenesis of this rare case will be discussed.