Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during balloon dilatation in achalasia
Sorohan, A.; Balan, G.; Daniil, C.; Solomon, M.; Creţu, M.; Stanciu, C.
Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici Si Naturalisti Din Iasi 93(1): 71-72
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0048-7848 PMID: 2814033 Document Number: 330138
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.