Gastro-Enterology in the Practice of Cardiology

The Clinical Importance of Gastro‐intestinal Gas, Especially in Relationship to Cardiovascular Disease

“…There is strong experimental evidence in favor of the reflex nature of the acute attacks of angina pectoris caused by intestinal gas. By blowing up the stomach with air, chest pain and cardiac irregularities can be produced (3), probably because nerve fibers from both the heart and gastro‐intestinal tract enter the same segment of the spinal cord thus permitting a crossed reflex arc.…”

“…In heart disease, gas may develop owing to the disturbed visceral circulation. Large amounts of air in the stomach or splenic flexure may raise the hemidiaphragm and encroach upon the heart, causing embarrassment to the circulation (3).…”