Profound bradycardia following patent ductus arteriosus closure; a rare but correctable event

ABSTRACT

Proximity of the vagus nerve to a patent ductus arteriosus [PDA] can cause traction or entrapment of vagus nerve during surgical closure of the in rare occasions. This can lead to a life threatening postoperative bradycardia. Herein, we report a case of bradycardia caused by unexpected irritation of the vagal trunk by the end of operation. The patient was managed byre-opening the chest, lung retraction and removal of mediastinal pleura sutures