When water hurts.
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.
Casella
Francesco
F
Department of Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine II, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Diana
Alessandro
A
Bulgheroni
Mara
M
Solbiati
Monica
M
Ceriani
Elisa
E
Pentimalli
Francesco
F
Sagone
Antonio
A
Montano
Nicola
N
D000368:Aged; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013575:Syncope / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*