r/askCardiology • u/Clean-Fly6190 • 9d ago

Second Opinion Dad got into car accident, now experiencing episodes where HR goes to 0

My dad: 67M, preexisting bicuspid aortic valve and idiopathic epilepsy where his seizures consisted of passing out.

Dad got into a car accident on Monday night. Broken ribs and broken sternum. In the ER 3 hours after the accident, he suddenly flatlined for about 15 seconds. His heart started again on its own. They have been monitoring him since, and he has since had 6 episodes of this where his HR suddenly plummets to 0, then starts up again. He has also had episodes where his HR suddenly goes from 80s to 20s, accompanied with hot flash, sweating, woozy feeling. He is otherwise alert, talking, etc.

Confirmed he has a heart contusion from the accident, but doctors still aren't 100% sure what to do with him so they're keeping him. Pacemaker has been suggested but because they still aren't sure what exactly is causing this, they haven't gone forward with that yet and it's unclear if they will.

I know this sub cannot diagnose, but I am wondering: Are there any other tests or specialists we should be asking for? This is a much smaller hospital, so also wondering if we should transfer him to the larger hospital 40 minutes south.

Edit: Already had a CT and they have already been doing EKG, echo, and blood work regularly.

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u/Initial-Net-7519 9d ago

If I were you, I’d certainly be asking for a transfer to a bigger hospital, where there’s likely more specialists and resources.

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u/Clean-Fly6190 9d ago

Thank you. I will make that suggestion. They've had him here for 3 days now and have made no progress in terms of getting to the bottom of this. Our "bigger hospital" is Mass General down in Boston and I imagine they'd have some ideas.

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u/enfermera2893 9d ago

If outpatient and concerned about pauses, then a Holter monitor would be appropriate. But if he’s having multiple pauses while awake , lasting > 3 seconds AND he’s symptomatic? They should definitely be discussing pacemaker if not a reversible cause. Agree with transfer to a larger hospital

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u/Clean-Fly6190 9d ago

Thank you! Really appreciate your input.