Key result
Swallow syncope is a rare condition diagnosed by clinical presentation and transient bradyarrhythmia during deglutition, which can be managed by avoiding trigger foods, anticholinergics, or pacemaker placement.
Case Report (n=3)
Swallow syncope is a rare but treatable condition that can be diagnosed clinically and managed with trigger avoidance, anticholinergics, caffeine, or permanent pacemaker placement.
Supports clinical recognition of rare swallow syncope; leaves optimal therapy open pending controlled data.
We recently encountered three patients with episodes of syncope associated with food ingestion. A 31-year-old woman had an episode of syncope in the hospital while drinking soda. Transient asystole was noted on the telemonitor, confirming the diagnosis of swallow syncope. The other two patients were 78- and 80 year old gentlemen, respectively, who presented with recurrent and transient episodes of dizziness during deglutition. Extensive work-up of syncope was negative in both cases and a diagnosis of swallow syncope was made by clinical criteria. These cases illustrate the challenging problem of swallow syncope. The diagnosis can be suspected on the basis of clinical presentation and confirmed with the demonstration of transient brady-arrhythmia during deglutition. Medical management includes avoiding trigger foods, use of anticholinergics, and/or placement of a permanent cardiac pacemaker.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Girotra et al. (2014) conducted a case report in Swallow syncope (n=3). Medical management and pacemaker placement was evaluated on Symptom resolution. Swallow syncope is a rare condition diagnosed by clinical presentation and transient bradyarrhythmia during deglutition, which can be managed by avoiding trigger foods, anticholinergics, or pacemaker placement.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: