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When Water Hurts
Author(s) -
CASELLA FRANCESCO,
DIANA ALESSANDRO,
BULGHERONI MARA,
SOLBIATI MONICA,
CERIANI ELISA,
PENTIMALLI FRANCESCO,
SAGONE ANTONIO,
MONTANO NICOLA
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2009.02521.x
Subject(s) - medicine , syncope (phonology) , swallowing , sick sinus syndrome , asymptomatic , asystole , atrioventricular block , ingestion , cardiology , anesthesia , implantable loop recorder , pediatrics , surgery , atrial fibrillation
Deglutition syncope refers to an uncommon cause of neurally mediated syncope induced by swallowing. We briefly review a case of a 66‐year‐old man who experienced recurrent syncope episodes during ingestion of beverages, mainly water. Our investigations documented several short asymptomatic episodes of asystole and one prolonged complete atrioventricular block of around 15 seconds associated with the syncopal events, during swallowing. Barium x‐ray and manometry evaluations revealed only a nonspecific esophageal dysmotility. An underlying sick‐sinus syndrome was found on electrophysiologic study. A DDD pacemaker implantation was performed leading to total disappearance of patient's symptoms.