TY - JOUR
T1 - Vagal reflexes referred from the upper aerodigestive tract
T2 - An infrequently recognized cause of common cardiorespiratory responses
AU - Cunningham, Emmett T.
AU - Ravich, William J.
AU - Jones, Bronwyn
AU - Donner, Martin W.
PY - 1992/4/1
Y1 - 1992/4/1
N2 - Objective: To review the physiologic basis for normal and abnormal vagal reflexes arising from the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, as well as the relevance of vagal reflexes to the pathogenesis of such clinically common cardiorespiratory responses as bradycardia, tachycardia, dysrhythmia, coronary angiospasm, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, prolonged apnea, and singultus (hiccups). Data Sources: Pertinent articles and reviews were identified through a MEDLINE search (April 1966 to October 1991). Older studies and others not identified in the MEDLINE search were found through a manual search of the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Study Selection: Experimental studies in both humans and animals, as well as case series and single case reports, were selected for evaluation and citation. In instances where a similar phenomenon was described in multiple independent reports, only studies that provided a novel finding or interpretation were cited. More authoritative book chapters and peerreviewed summaries were also cited in support of commonly accepted principles. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Most of the clinical data are derived from case reports and small case series and are therefore anecdotal; equal weight was given to all such studies. Reports of conflicting observations or interpretations were clearly identified and were cited without exception. Conclusions: Stimulation of the upper aerodigestive tract can lead to clinically significant cardiorespiratory responses. Although the prevalence of and risk factors for such responses have not been established, we suggest that a pharyngeal, a laryngeal, or an esophageal source for abnormal cardiorespiratory responses be sought whenever a detailed clinical evaluation fails to reveal a cause, particularly when there are concurrent symptoms or signs of upper aerodigestive tract disease, such as dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux.
AB - Objective: To review the physiologic basis for normal and abnormal vagal reflexes arising from the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, as well as the relevance of vagal reflexes to the pathogenesis of such clinically common cardiorespiratory responses as bradycardia, tachycardia, dysrhythmia, coronary angiospasm, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, prolonged apnea, and singultus (hiccups). Data Sources: Pertinent articles and reviews were identified through a MEDLINE search (April 1966 to October 1991). Older studies and others not identified in the MEDLINE search were found through a manual search of the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Study Selection: Experimental studies in both humans and animals, as well as case series and single case reports, were selected for evaluation and citation. In instances where a similar phenomenon was described in multiple independent reports, only studies that provided a novel finding or interpretation were cited. More authoritative book chapters and peerreviewed summaries were also cited in support of commonly accepted principles. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Most of the clinical data are derived from case reports and small case series and are therefore anecdotal; equal weight was given to all such studies. Reports of conflicting observations or interpretations were clearly identified and were cited without exception. Conclusions: Stimulation of the upper aerodigestive tract can lead to clinically significant cardiorespiratory responses. Although the prevalence of and risk factors for such responses have not been established, we suggest that a pharyngeal, a laryngeal, or an esophageal source for abnormal cardiorespiratory responses be sought whenever a detailed clinical evaluation fails to reveal a cause, particularly when there are concurrent symptoms or signs of upper aerodigestive tract disease, such as dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux.
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M3 - Review article
C2 - 1543313
AN - SCOPUS:0026540397
SN - 0003-4819
VL - 116
SP - 575
EP - 582
JO - Annals of internal medicine
JF - Annals of internal medicine
IS - 7
ER -