Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Manifesting as Symptomatic Bradycardia: A Unique Presentation

ABSTRACT

A 54-year-old female with vertigo and sarcoidosis presented to the emergency department with a 4-day history of generalised malaise, headache, fever, and near syncope. She was noted to have severe bradycardia and was admitted for possible pacemaker implantation. During the admission, the patient voiced left eye complaints, the workup of which revealed a left internal carotid aneurysm that ruptured, causing a direct carotid-cavernous fistula. The patient underwent multiple procedures to tamponade the fistula, and the bradycardia resolved, avoiding pacemaker implantation.

• Bradycardia
• carotid-cavernous fistula
• internal carotid aneurysm

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.