Complete Atrioventricular Block With Bradycardia After Craniotomy

We report an 82-year-old male patient who developed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) with severe bradycardia 1 hour after craniotomy. After emergency placement of a transvenous pacemaker, the patient's heart rate was restored. Serial assays of serum cardiac enzymes, echocardiography and serum digoxin concentration did not show evidence of myocardial infarction, myocardial injury, or drug toxicity. Tracing back past history, neither syncope nor arrhythmia of any form was noted. A neurogenic heart disorder, high vagal tone, and aging possibly contributed to this cardiac event in this patient. CAVB, although uncommon, is a disastrous complication following craniotomy, and needs aggressive and instantaneous management.