Paroxysmal Hiatal Hernia

The term Paroxysmal Hiatal Hernia generally refers to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with eating. There has been a case where frequent palpitations with eating developed in a 62-year-old man with a history of typical gastroesophageal reflux successfully treated by Nissen fundoplication 5 years previously. A Holter monitor demonstrated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with eating.

Barium swallow showed a slipped Nissen fundoplication with herniation into the chest. Under a single anesthetic, the patient had median sternotomy and off-pump pulmonary vein isolation with a bipolar radiofrequency clamp and transabdominal redo-Nissen fundoplication. A 24-hour Holter monitor performed 6 weeks after operation demonstrated a normal sinus rhythm with no atrial fibrillation. Barium swallow demonstrated an intact infradiaphragmatic repair.

For details of the case report, click here.

There has been another case of a 26-year-old woman, who presented with a history of recurrent, multiple fainting episodes precipitated by swallowing. Twenty-four-hour manometry and pH recording together with continuous 24-h ECG monitoring revealed multiple episodes of symptomatic and asymptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and significant gastro-oesophageal reflux associated with swallowing. Oesophageal function tests and continuous electrocardiographic evaluation is important in the diagnosis of this rare condition.

Visit the hiatal hernia help's home page to read our recommended resources on tackling hiatal hernia, gerd/ acid reflux, and other symptoms of this condition.