Roemheld syndrome (RS), or gastrocardiac syndrome,^{[1][2][3][4][5]} or gastric cardiac syndrome^[6] or Roemheld–Techlenburg–Ceconi syndrome^[7] or gastric-cardia,^[7] was a medical syndrome first coined by Ludwig von Roemheld (1871–1938) describing a cluster of cardiovascular symptoms stimulated by gastrointestinal changes. Although it is currently considered an obsolete medical diagnosis, recent studies have described similar clinical presentations and highlighted potential underlying mechanisms.^[3][8][9][5]

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms can be as follows.^[10][11] They are periodic, and occur only during an "episode", usually after eating.

• Sinus bradycardia
• Difficulty inhaling
• Angina pectoris
• Left ventricular discomfort
• Premature heart beats (PVC / PAC)
• Tachycardia
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Uncomfortable breathing
• Poor perfusion
• Muscle pain (crampiness)
• Burst or sustained vertigo or dizziness
• Sleep disturbance (particularly when sleeping within a few hours of eating, or lying on the left side)
• Hot flashes

Causes

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease^[12]
• Excessive gas in the transverse colon caused by:
  • Lactose intolerance
• Abnormal gall bladder function and/or blood flow
• Gall stones
• Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
• Hiatal hernia
• Cardiac bridge (Coronary occluding reflexes triggered by coronary reflexes)
• Enteric disease
• Aneructonia, the loss of the ability to belch (continuous or intermittent)
• Bowel obstruction (Less common, this usually leads to intense pain in short time)
• Acute pancreatic necrosis^[13]

Diagnosis

There is significant scope of misdiagnosis of Roemheld syndrome. Diagnosis of Roemheld syndrome usually starts with a cardiac workup, as the gastric symptoms may go unnoticed, the cardiac symptoms are scary and can be quite severe. After an EKG, Holter monitor, tilt test, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, heart catheterization, EP study, echo-cardiogram, and extensive blood work, and possibly a sleep study, a cardiologist may rule out a heart condition.

Often a psych workup may ensue as a conversion disorder may be suspected in the absence of heart disease, or structural heart abnormalities.

Diagnosis is often made based on symptoms in the absence of heart abnormalities. A gastroenterologist will perform a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and ultrasound to locate or eliminate problems in the abdomen.

Determining the cause of Roemheld syndrome is still not an exact science. If you have an ultrasound or sleep study, ensure that you know how to reproduce the symptoms, as it is difficult to detect any abnormalities when symptoms have subsided.

Treatment

Treatment of the primary gastroenterological distress is the first concern, mitigation of gastric symptoms will also alleviate cardiac distress.

• Anticholinergics, magnesium, or sodium (to raise blood pressure) supplements
• Anticonvulsants have eliminated all symptoms in some Roemheld syndrome sufferers; Lorazepam, Oxcarbazepine increase GI motility, reduce vagus "noise" (sodium channel blocking believed to contribute to positive effects)
• Alpha blockers may increase gi motility if that is an issue, also 5 mg to 10 mg amitriptyline if motility is an issue that can't be solved by other methods
• Antigas - simethicone, beano, omnimax reduces epigastric pressure
• Antacids - calcium carbonate, famotidine, omeprazole, etc. reduces acid reflux in the case of hiatal hernia or other esophageal type Roemheld syndrome.
• Vagotomy
• Beta blockers - reduces contractility and automaticity of the heart which reduces irregular rhythms but also lowers blood pressure when symptoms occur, and further reduces perfusion ex: Carvedilol, this will control abnormal heart rhythms, but can precipitate Prinzmetal angina and heart block.

Etiology

Roemheld syndrome is characterized strictly by abdominal maladies triggering reflexes in the heart. There are a number of pathways through which cardiac reflexes can occur: hormones, mechanical, neurological and immunological.

History

Ludwig Roemheld characterized this particular syndrome shortly before his death; one of his research topics around this time was the effects of calorie intake on the heart. In Elsevier publications, there is no current research or publishing under the name Roemheld syndrome, and as a result, many cases go undiagnosed. German publishing on the subject remains untranslated as of 2009.

See also

• Swallowing syncope

References