Western Journal of Emergency Medicine (Aug 2009)

Violent Hiccups: An Infrequent Cause of Bradyarrhythmias

  • Suh, William M,
  • Krishnan, Subramaniam C

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
pp. 176 – 177

Abstract

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A hiccup, or singultus, results from a sudden, simultaneous, vigorous contraction of the diaphragm and inspiratory muscles, accompanied by closure of the glottis. Hiccups can be associated with bradyarrhythmias. The mechanism of this phenomenon is likely hiccup-induced Valsalva maneuver and increased parasympathetic tone. We present a case of a patient with violent hiccups producing a bradyarrhythmia.[WestJEM. 2009;10:176-177.]

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