Anthony Matta1,2, Khaled Elenizi2,3, Didier Carrié2, Jerome Roncalli2. 1. Faculty of Medicine, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon. 2. Department of Cardiology, Institute CARDIOMET, Rangueil Hospital, Toulouse, France. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several clinical entities may be misdiagnosed in elderly if we consider dysphagia as a normal aging process in our daily practice. On top of usual aetiologies like motor dysfunction, investigations may uncover serious underlying conditions. CASE SUMMARY: We report an unusual case where dysphagia was the warning sign for acute heart failure in a 76-year-old patient known to have dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction. It was due to an external oesophageal compression by the left atrium. A transthoracic echocardiography, an enhanced thoracic computed tomography-scan and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were used for the diagnosis. Diuretics were the cornerstone treatment with symptomatic improvement. DISCUSSION: Despite the fact that cardiovascular dysphagia is an uncommon medical entity, but it remains a potential differential diagnosis, especially in elderlies with high risk for atrial enlargement.
BACKGROUND: Several clinical entities may be misdiagnosed in elderly if we consider dysphagia as a normal aging process in our daily practice. On top of usual aetiologies like motor dysfunction, investigations may uncover serious underlying conditions. CASE SUMMARY: We report an unusual case where dysphagia was the warning sign for acute heart failure in a 76-year-old patient known to have dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction. It was due to an external oesophageal compression by the left atrium. A transthoracic echocardiography, an enhanced thoracic computed tomography-scan and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were used for the diagnosis. Diuretics were the cornerstone treatment with symptomatic improvement. DISCUSSION: Despite the fact that cardiovascular dysphagia is an uncommon medical entity, but it remains a potential differential diagnosis, especially in elderlies with high risk for atrial enlargement.
Authors: G P Piccoli; C Massini; G Di Eusanio; L Ballerini; G Iacobone; A Soro; A Palminiello Journal: J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) Date: 1984 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 1.888
Authors: Bobby John; Martin K Stiles; Pawel Kuklik; Sunil T Chandy; Glenn D Young; Lorraine Mackenzie; Lukasz Szumowski; George Joseph; Jacob Jose; Stephen G Worthley; Jonathan M Kalman; Prashanthan Sanders Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2008-07-10 Impact factor: 29.983