Abstract:
Background. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and ischemic heart disease have been
characterized by similar clinical manifestations, especially retrosternal pain. This confusion
could lead to a delay in appropriate therapy and a negative impact on the patient's prognosis,
especially in cardiac patients.
Objective(s). It was proposed to investigate pathologies that influenced each other in a way
that complicated the clinical picture, masking ischemic manifestations and delaying the
identification of the main cause.
Materials and methods. A rigorous analysis of the scientific literature relevant to the study
of GERD and IHD was performed. Articles from specialized journals were reviewed and
experimental results were analyzed from online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed,
etc. Analytical, comparative and clinical-medical methods were applied.
Results. Endothelial dysfunction in patients with GERD was correlated with changes in the
intima-media complex, which accelerates coronary atherosclerotic processes. Studies have
indicated a prevalence of up to 40% of GERD symptoms in patients with IBD. In 2018, a
patient with GERD presented with heartburn and periodic regurgitation, and subsequently
retrosternal pain and anxiety, signs that suspected myocardial ischemia. Initial
investigations did not reveal acute changes, but Holter ECG monitoring and esophageal pHmetry correlated acidification with arrhythmias, confirming the diagnosis of chronic
ischemic cardiopathy associated with severe GERD.
Conclusion(s). The correlation between GERD and IBD required clinical vigilance, as
symptomatic overlap and pathophysiological interactions could delay diagnosis. Endothelial dysfunction associated with GERD was considered a factor accelerating atherogenesis,
negatively influencing cardiac prognosis.
