title: Potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial arrhythmias.
abstract: A potential reduction in symptoms related to atrial fibrillation after treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms with proton pump inhibitor therapy has been previously described. However, illustration of this relationship by combined 24-hour pH and ambulatory Holter monitoring has not been performed. We report 3 patients with symptoms of both palpitations and reflux who underwent simultaneous Holter and 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring off of antireflux therapy. All of the patients reported a reduction in arrhythmia symptoms on proton pump inhibitor therapy. The findings from this preliminary series suggest a potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial arrhythmias that might improve with antireflux therapy. Patients with documentation of both atrial arrhythmias and reflux should have a trial of aggressive acid suppressive therapy To further confirm this relationship, larger prospective studies are needed to assess whether maximal acid suppression improves arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94605-5202, USA. lgerson@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Lauren B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friday
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Triadafilopoulos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009853:Omeprazole