A person may develop heart block after chest trauma.
The heart block:
(1) may have an immediate or delayed onset
(2) may be transient, recurrent or permanent
(3) incomplete or complete
(4) occur with nonpenetrating or penetrating chest trauma
(5) exist with or without damage to other cardiac structures
The heart block may be associated with sudden death.
A pacemaker may be needed, either transient or permanent, depending on the severity and duration of the block.
