Key result
Oesophageal stimulation from swallowing, cold drinks, or belching can precipitate diverse atrial tachyarrhythmias.
Why the study?
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias triggered by oesophageal transit such as swallowing and belching are rare and not well characterized.
Case Report (n=3)
Oesophageal stimulation such as swallowing and belching can trigger diverse atrial tachyarrhythmias, a phenomenon that may be underrecognized.
Clinicians should consider oesophageal triggers in paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias; hypothesis-generating observation requiring prospective validation.
Three cases with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias related to oesophageal transit are reported. A 61 year old man had episodes of atrial tachycardia on each swallow of food but not liquid; this has been reported only rarely. A 55 year old man had atrial fibrillation initiated by drinking ice cold beverages; this has not been described previously although atrial tachycardia triggered by drinking ice cold beverages has been described once. A 68 year old man had supraventricular tachycardia initiated by belching; this has not been described previously. These cases illustrate the diversity of atrial tachyarrhythmias that can be precipitated by oesophageal stimulation and suggest that what is regarded as a very rare phenomenon may be found more commonly when sought.
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Peter Wilmshurst (1999) conducted a case report in Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (n=3). Oesophageal stimulation (swallowing, drinking ice cold beverages, belching) was evaluated on Precipitation of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Oesophageal stimulation, including swallowing food, drinking ice-cold beverages, and belching, can precipitate diverse atrial tachyarrhythmias.
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