Overview
Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is characterized by dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), and esophageal webs, typically affecting middle-aged white women 1.Diagnosis
Key Diagnostic Criteria: Dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia, presence of esophageal webs 1.
Recommended Tests: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to visualize esophageal webs and confirm IDA 1.Management
First-Line Treatments: Iron replacement therapy to correct anemia 1.
Adjunctive Treatments: Mechanical dilation of esophageal webs in cases where dysphagia persists despite iron therapy 1.Special Populations
Comorbidities: Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to chronic hypertension may be at risk for PVS development, particularly if presenting with dysphagia 1.Key Recommendations
Consider endoscopy (EGD) in patients with CHF and symptoms of dysphagia to evaluate for PVS 1 (Evidence: Moderate).
Initiate iron replacement therapy for confirmed IDA in PVS patients to alleviate symptoms 1 (Evidence: Strong).
Evaluate and consider mechanical dilation for persistent dysphagia despite iron supplementation 1 (Evidence: Weak).References
1 Field Z, Russin M, Kropf J, Olivier M, Ge L, Galili Y et al.. Plummer-Vinson Syndrome and Heart Failure: An Unusual Association in an African American Woman. The American journal of case reports 2019. link