A case of swallowing syncope with an esophageal tumor.
- Author:
Young Mok SONG
1
;
Yong Jin CHO
;
Jae Kyu ROH
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Bradycardia;
Cardiac Output;
Deglutition*;
Electrocardiography;
Heart;
Heart Block;
Heart Diseases;
Humans;
Reflex;
Syncope*;
Unconsciousness;
Vagus Nerve
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1997;15(4):921-925
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Swallowing is a rare cause of syncope. In swallowing syncope, loss of consciousness occurs during or immediately after a swallow. It is mediated via an esophagocardiac vagal reflex arc. The efferent impulse originates in the esophageal sensory endings of the vagus nerve and from the dorsal vagal nucleus an efferent vagus nerve to the heart cause bradycardia or varying degrees of heart block. Bradycardia or heart block in response to swallowing produces decreased cardiac output and results in cerebral hypoperfusion and loss of consciousness. It is occasionally associated with the esophageal or heart disease. The esophageal or heart disease may exaggerate the reflex. We report a patient who had loss of consciousness during swallowig and had a esoophageal submucosal tumor. In EKG monitoring a swallowing induced sinoatrial black was found.
