FOR YEARS clinicians have suspected some connection between gallbladder disease and certain cardiac disorders. Varied experiences have suggested an association significant enough to justify cholecystectomy as hopeful therapy for angina pectoris and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. For others, the only important interrelationship concerns problems of bedside differential diagnosis. The whole matter is in need of clarification.
These things are known with reasonable confidence (Friedman's1 review is recommended):
In some patients, removal of a diseased gallbladder is followed by disappearance of long-standing, periodic premature ventricular contractions.
In some patients, removal of a diseased gallbladder is followed by disappearance of anginal attacks.
It has been reported on several occasions that removal of a diseased gallbladder has been followed by disappearance of Adams-Stokes attacks.
No statistical relationship can be found between cholesterosis of the gallbladder and coronary artery disease.
During gallbladder surgery, when the gallbladder or cystic duct is already distended, the manipulations