Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in nine patients under continuous ECG monitoring before, during and after balloon dilatation for achalasia were followed; of these, three had ischaemic heart disease (IHD). One or several abnormalities including sinus tachycardia, supraventricular or ventricular ectopic beats, S-T segment depression and T-wave flattening appeared during the procedure; these were more commonly found in patients with IHD. Despite the high incidence of recorded ECG abnormalities, these were transient, and no treatment was needed. However, it seems advisable to have resuscitation equipment and emergency drugs available during balloon dilatation for achalasia, particularly when this procedure is performed in patients with IHD.
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PMID:Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during balloon dilatation in achalasia. 281 33

Drugs which interfere with the voltage-activated inward displacement of calcium ions into excitable cells, including those of the myocardium, atrial and ventricular nodes, and smooth muscle cells, have become known as calcium antagonists. These drugs are a heterogeneous group, and differ from one another in chemistry, tissue specificity, potency and bioavailability. The prototype of the group is verapamil. Other calcium antagonists are nifedipine and diltiazem. The therapeutic applications of these compounds include the relief of angina pectoris, and the management of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and, in certain instances, arrhythmias. Calcium antagonists are also useful in the management of oesophageal achalasia, Raynaud's disease, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, and may be of use in premature labour.
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PMID:Calcium antagonists. 631 4

Achalasia is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by esophageal dysmotility and megaesophagus. Two cases are reported that demonstrate unexpected deaths associated with previously unsuspected achalasia. Case 1: A 66-year-old woman was found dead at her home. At autopsy significant stenosing coronary artery atherosclerosis was found with cardiac failure. In addition, a striking finding was narrowing of the distal esophagus with marked proximal dilatation. The esophagus was completely filled with a large amount of soft masticated food and was bulging anteriorly, compressing the left atrium. Death was attributed to ischemic heart disease complicated by previously unsuspected achalasia. Case 2: An 84-year-old man collapsed and suffered a respiratory arrest while eating. Internal examination revealed narrowing of the cardioesophageal junction with marked proximal dilatation of the esophagus that contained approximately 50 mL of soft semi-fluid masticated yellow food paste. Fragments of yellow masticated food remnants were present in upper and lower airways but not within the stomach. There was a history of dementia with symmetrical cerebral ventricular dilatation found at autopsy. Death was attributed to food asphyxia complicating previously unsuspected achalasia with dementia. Megaesophagus may, therefore, be a significant finding at autopsy that may either be a primary cause of unexpected death or else may exacerbate or compound the effects of pre-existing underlying disease.
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PMID:Megaesophagus and possible mechanisms of sudden death. 1901 34

With age, a person has "accumulation" of diseases. In patients of older age groups occurs simultaneously for at least 3-4 diseases. Assigning patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), the physician takes into account the presence of concomitant diseases, especially diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since the defeat of the stomach, liver, intestine may influence not only on the clinical course of heart disease, but also to change the pharmacokinetics of cardiac drugs. All groups of drugs used in treating coronary artery disease, have different effects on the digestive organs. This can be a positive influence. For example, the use of beta-blockers and nitrates for prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices at cirrhosis of the liver, calcium antagonists in achalasia cardia. It is well known, and the negative effect of cardiac drugs: erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach with aspirin use, increasing manifestations of GERD in patients receiving calcium antagonists (dihydropyridines group). In this regard, we need for rational pharmacotherapy.
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PMID:[Cardiovascular pathology associated with digestive system diseases]. 2191 42