Key result
Repeated dry swallowing triggers atrial fibrillation in a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis.
Why the study?
Supraventricular tachycardia induced by swallowing is a rare phenomenon usually not associated with esophageal abnormalities or structural heart disease.
Case Report (n=1)
This case report highlights a rare presentation of swallowing-induced atrial fibrillation associated with eosinophilic esophagitis.
Swallowing-triggered AF may prompt esophageal evaluation in select patients; single case leaves open mechanistic links and prevalence.
Letters2 October 2012Supraventricular Tachycardia Induced by SwallowingKah Leng Ho, MBBS, Mohammad Al Beshir, MBBS, Hala El-Zimaity, MD, Louis W.C. Liu, MD, PhD, and Louise Harris, MBChBKah Leng Ho, MBBSFrom National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, Mohammad Al Beshir, MBBSFrom National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, Hala El-Zimaity, MDFrom National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, Louis W.C. Liu, MD, PhDFrom National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, and Louise Harris, MBChBFrom National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-7-201210020-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Supraventricular tachycardia induced by swallowing is a rare phenomenon that usually is not associated with esophageal abnormalities or structural heart disease.Objective: To report a patient with swallowing-induced atrial fibrillation associated with eosinophilic esophagitis.Case Report: A 56-year-old man presented with worsening of a 5-year history of intermittent but recurrent palpitations frequently triggered by swallowing. He had a history of dysphagia and had previously undergone passive esophageal dilatation for Schatzki ring. In recent months, the intensity of palpitations had progressed, and although self-limiting, some of them ended in near syncope. We observed that repeated dry swallowing induced atrial fibrillation ...References1. Tada H, Kaseno K, Kubota S, Naito S, Yokokawa M, Hiramatsu S, et al. Swallowing-induced atrial tachyarrhythmias: prevalence, characteristics, and the results of the radiofrequency catheter ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2007;30:1224-32. [PMID: 17897125] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Undavia M, Sinha S, Mehta D. Radiofrequency ablation of swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia: case report and review of literature. Heart Rhythm. 2006;3:971-4. [PMID: 16876749] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Liacouras CA, Furuta GT, Hirano I, Atkins D, Attwood SE, Bonis PA, et al. Eosinophilic esophagitis: updated consensus recommendations for children and adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128:3-20.e6; quiz 21-2. [PMID: 21477849] Google Scholar4. Ravi K, Talley NJ, Smyrk TC, Katzka DA, Kryzer L, Romero Y, et al. Low grade esophageal eosinophilia in adults: an unrecognized part of the spectrum of eosinophilic esophagitis? Dig Dis Sci. 2011;56:1981-6. [PMID: 21298480] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Nurko S, Teitelbaum JE, Husain K, Buonomo C, Fox VL, Antonioli D, et al. Association of Schatzki ring with eosinophilic esophagitis in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004;38:436-41. [PMID: 15085025] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From National Heart Centre, 168752 Singapore; Western University, London, Ontario N6A 0A5, Canada; and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.Disclosures: Dr. Liu: Board membership: Janssen Pharmaceuticals; Payment for lectures including service on speakers bureaus: Janssen Pharmaceuticals; Payment for development of educational presentations: Janssen Pharmaceuticals. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDeglutition Syncope: Two Case Reports Attributed to Vagal HyperactivityTo eat, or not to eat…?: A live video case of swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia 2 October 2012Volume 157, Issue 7Page: 531-532KeywordsArrhythmiaAtrial fibrillationBiopsyDrugsDysphagiaElectrophysiological techniquesEosinophilsEsophagusSwallowingTachycardia ePublished: 2 October 2012 Issue Published: 2 October 2012 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...
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Ho et al. (2012) conducted a case report in Swallowing-induced atrial fibrillation associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (n=1). Swallowing was evaluated on Induction of atrial fibrillation. Repeated dry swallowing induced atrial fibrillation in a 56-year-old man with a history of dysphagia and eosinophilic esophagitis.
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