Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia

A 84-year-old white female had a brief loss of consciousness while playing bridge. A few minutes before the episode she had eaten pizza and significant amount of carbonated soft drinks. After recovery, her friends noticed that she was alert, but pale and sweating. Upon arrival at the emergency room,...

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Main Author: Gabriel Vanerio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/560734
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author Gabriel Vanerio
author_facet Gabriel Vanerio
author_sort Gabriel Vanerio
collection DOAJ
description A 84-year-old white female had a brief loss of consciousness while playing bridge. A few minutes before the episode she had eaten pizza and significant amount of carbonated soft drinks. After recovery, her friends noticed that she was alert, but pale and sweating. Upon arrival at the emergency room, sitting blood pressure was 160/60 mmHg with a normal sinus rhythm. A chest X-Ray was performed, which was essential to make the diagnosis. The X-Ray showed a large retrocardiac opacity with air and liquid level compatible with a giant hiatus hernia. After a copious snack the hiatal hernia compressed the left atrium, decreasing the left cardiac output, elucidating the mechanism of the syncopal episode. In patients presenting with swallow syncope (particularly after a copious meal, validating the importance of a careful history), a chest X-Ray should be always be performed.
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series Case Reports in Cardiology
spelling doaj-art-999a9880d7bf4ef6b489d23501bd7bf72025-08-20T03:37:05ZengWileyCase Reports in Cardiology2090-64042090-64122011-01-01201110.1155/2011/560734560734Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal HerniaGabriel Vanerio0Intensive Care Unit and Cardiology Departments, British Hospital Montevideo, 2420 Avenue Italia, 11600 Montevideo, UruguayA 84-year-old white female had a brief loss of consciousness while playing bridge. A few minutes before the episode she had eaten pizza and significant amount of carbonated soft drinks. After recovery, her friends noticed that she was alert, but pale and sweating. Upon arrival at the emergency room, sitting blood pressure was 160/60 mmHg with a normal sinus rhythm. A chest X-Ray was performed, which was essential to make the diagnosis. The X-Ray showed a large retrocardiac opacity with air and liquid level compatible with a giant hiatus hernia. After a copious snack the hiatal hernia compressed the left atrium, decreasing the left cardiac output, elucidating the mechanism of the syncopal episode. In patients presenting with swallow syncope (particularly after a copious meal, validating the importance of a careful history), a chest X-Ray should be always be performed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/560734
spellingShingle Gabriel Vanerio
Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
Case Reports in Cardiology
title Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
title_full Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
title_fullStr Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
title_full_unstemmed Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
title_short Syncope Caused by Huge Hiatal Hernia
title_sort syncope caused by huge hiatal hernia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/560734
work_keys_str_mv AT gabrielvanerio syncopecausedbyhugehiatalhernia