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Swallow-Induced Syncope in a Patient with Achalasia

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Abstract

A 48-year-old man was referred for the evaluation of dysphagia and syncope. He suffered from both dysphagia and transient loss of consciousness when eating solid food, especially bread. An upper gastrointestinal barium examination and esophageal manometry suggested achalasia. Ambulatory ECG revealed marked sinus bradycardia when experiencing a syncopal episode following the ingestion of a solid meal. A permanent pacemaker was implanted and the patient’s syncopal attacks were relieved following this procedure. However, the dysphagia and cardiac arrhythmia completely disappeared only following a successful pneumatic balloon dilatation for achalasia. This observation suggests that swallowing-induced sinus bradycardia and syncope might occur in the course of achalasia and these rhythm abnormalities could be relieved by successful treatment of the achalasia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35040, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Ilker Turan MD

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Galip Ersoz MD & Serhat Bor MD

Authors
  1. Ilker Turan MD
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  2. Galip Ersoz MD
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  3. Serhat Bor MD
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Correspondence to Ilker Turan MD.

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Turan, I., Ersoz, G. & Bor, S. Swallow-Induced Syncope in a Patient with Achalasia. Dysphagia 20, 238–240 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-005-0014-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-005-0014-0

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