Ice-Water-Induced Arrhythmias in a Patient with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: ELLIS W. LADER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1982)

Brief Reports1 May 1982Ice-Water-Induced Arrhythmias in a Patient with Ischemic Heart DiseaseELLIS W. LADER, M.D., ITZHAK KRONZON, M.D.ELLIS W. LADER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ITZHAK KRONZON, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-96-5-614 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptCurrent recommendations for managing patients with acute myocardial infarction include the suggestion that they avoid cold drinks (1). There has been little documentation of serious arrhythmias in this group of patients when they drink cold liquids, and recent reports suggest that they may drink ice water without any danger (2-4). We describe a patient with acute myocardial ischemia in whom sinus bradycardia and second degree atrioventricular block were seen after he swallowed cold liquids.A 60-year-old man with a history of myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris was admitted to a coronary care unit after a prolonged episode of substernal...References1. FREITAGMILLER JL, eds. Manual of Medical Therapeutics. 23rd ed. Boston: Little, Brown and Company; 1980:74. Google Scholar2. HOUSER D. Ice water for MI patients? Why not? Another one of those traditions bites the dust. Am J Nurs. 1976;76:432-4. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. COHENALPERTFRANCISVIEWEGHAGAN IJGWA. Safety of hot and cold liquids in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Chest. 1977;71:450-2. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. KIRCHHOFF K. An examination of the physiologic basis for "coronary precautions". Heart Lung. 1981;10:874-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. WILSONFINCH FR. The effect of drinking iced-water upon the form of the T deflection of the electrocardiogram. Heart. 1923;10:275-8. Google Scholar6. OWEN S. A study of viscocardiac reflexes: I. The experimental production of cardiac irregularities by visceral stimulation. Am Heart J. 1933;8:496-506. CrossrefGoogle Scholar7. MATTHEWONADAMEVSKIWALLACE PFKW. Arrhythmias during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Anigology. 1979;30:834-40. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. BELLET S. Clinical Disorders of the Heart Beat. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger; 1971:311. Google Scholar9. FITZMAURICE J. Temperature changes in the esophagus and stomach of the dog after ingestion of physiological amounts of ice water. Circulation. 1972;46(2):241. Abstract. Google Scholar10. JAMES T. The coronary circulation and conduction system in acute myocardial ischemia. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1967;10:410-49. CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: ELLIS W. LADER, M.D.; ITZHAK KRONZON, M.D.Affiliations: Department of Medicine New York University Medical Center New York, New York PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPossible stimulation of anti-tumor immunity using repeated cold stress: a hypothesisSeasonal variation in occurrence of acute atrial fibrillation and relation to air temperature and sale of alcoholAV block induced by drinking cold liquidsIce Water and the HeartKARIN T. KIRCHHOFF, PH.D, R.N. 1 May 1982Volume 96, Issue 5Page: 614-615KeywordsAcute myocardial infarctionAnginaArrhythmiaBradycardiaCardiac care unitCardiovascular therapyIschemiaMyocardial infarction ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 May 1982 PDF downloadLoading ...