[Auriculo-ventricular block upon swallowing].
A case of recurrent syncopal attacks in a 70-year-old woman with oesophageal hiatus hernia is reported. Dynamic ECG recording showed paroxysmal II and III degree A-V block during solid food swallowing. Electrophysiologic examination was normal in the basal condition and showed a II degree A-V nodal block with 2: 1 conduction ratio during solid food swallowing. This phenomenon was not reproducible after atropine administration. A permanent cardiac pacemaker (VVIP) rendered the patient completely symptomfree. The likely pathogenetic mechanism of "swallowing A-V block" is described.
D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
Bloc auriculo-ventriculaire à la déglutition.