Roemheld syndrome

Roemheld syndrome (RS), also known as Roemheld-Techlenburg-Ceconi-Syndrome or gastric-cardia, is a complex of gastrocardiac symptoms first described by Ludwig Roemheld (1871–1938). It is a syndrome where maladies in the gastrointestinal tract or abdomen trigger/cause cardiac symptoms. There is rarely a traceable cardiac source to the symptoms which may lead to a lengthy period of misdiagnosis.

Epidemology

Roemheld syndrome is characterized strictly by abdominal maladies triggering reflexes in the heart. There are a number of pathways through which cardiac reflexes can occur: hormones, mechanical, neurological and immunological.

Mechanical

Mechanically induced RS is characterized by pressure in the epigastric and left hypochondriac region. Often the pressure is in the fundus of the stomach, esophagus or distention of the bowel. It is believed this leads to elevation of the diaphragm, and secondary displacement of the heart. This reduces the heart's ability to fill and increases the contractility of the heart to maintain homeostasis.