Cardiovascular dysphagia — anatomical and clinical implications

Abstract

Cardiovascular dysphagia is rare. The aetiologies can be congenital, acquired oriatrogenic. The severity of dysphagia can be mild or severe, consistent or progressive, depending on the nature of the cardiovascular disorder and the impact for oesophageal compressions. The diagnostic work-up includes standard chest radiography, chest computed tomography, endoscopy, barium swallow test and manometry. Treatment can be conservative, surgical or palliative according to the nature of the disorder and the severity of the symptom. Prognoses of the patients are always good. Although cardiovascular dysphagia is continuously reported as sporadic cases, there have not been any comprehensive declarations of the conditions in the literature. Present article aims to make a comprehensive review of cardiovascular dysphagia.