Arrhythmia and g.i. upset

My father has had episodes of extreme abdominal bloating and gas when he wakes each morning.  When he brings up the gas and begins to belch, his starts having pvc's.  The last episode was while he was in the hospital being evaluated for these symptoms and as the gas became worse, his heart rate went to 190 and he went into a-fib.  The cardiologist was present during this and doesn't have an explanation.  Please reply and explain what the corelation is.  I am concerned that he has stomach cancer and the extreme amount of gas released is causing vegal nerve pressure that is causing the pvc's and instances of a-fib.  When he has the pvc's and sometimes a-fib, he experiences black-outs.  Thank you for your time.  Cindy

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

He may have vagally-induced episodes of atrial fibrillation. This is mediated through a reflex, not direct pressure. This does not meant that he has stomach cancer, though if there are other reasons why this is a concern, it should be evaluated. Regarding his atrial fibrillation associated with black-outs - this is serious and he should be evaluated by a cardiac electrophysiologist.

[FINALLY!!]

A DOCTOR HAS ACCEPTED THAT THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN
G.I. AND ARRYTHMIAS!!!!!!

[Beate]

In Germany Doctors call this a Roemheld-Syndrom.

Originally termed "Roemheld-Techlenburg-Ceconi-Syndrome", it is used to characterize a gastrocardiac symptom complex, first described by Ludwig Roemheld (1871-1938): In enteric disease, flatulence or bowel distention due to extensive gas production in the upper abdomen/colon transversum and left colon flexure leads to elevation of the diaphragm, and secondary displacement of the heart. This is complemented by gastro-coronary reflexes with "functional cardiovascular symptoms" similar to chest-pain on the left side and irradiation to the left shoulder, dyspnea, sweating, up to angina pectoris -like attacks with extrasystoles, drop of blood pressure, and tachycardia (high heart beat). Typically, there are no changes / abnormalities related in the EKG detected.

[nancy477]

A related discussion, What methods for reducing gastro pressure on cardiac arrhythmia was started.

[AC284]

A related discussion, cardiac arrhythmia and flatulence was started.