Critical carotid and vertebral arterial occlusive disease and cough syncope.
OBJECTIVE
Cough syncope typically occurs in patients with known chronic lung disease. The mechanism usually involves a combination of decreased venous return, increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and secondary hypocapnia, all resulting in cerebral arterial vasoconstriction. Cough syncope has not in the past been associated with occlusive cerebrovascular disease.


METHODS
We describe a 50-year-old man with a 6-month history of episodes of loss of consciousness during paroxysms of coughing. Physical examination showed asymmetrical upper extremity blood pressures and carotid and subclavian artery bruits. Pulmonary function studies were normal. Ultrasound and angiography showed total occlusion of the left common carotid artery, right internal carotid artery, and right vertebral artery; tight stenosis of the right subclavian artery; and a hypoplastic left vertebral artery. The patient had a left subclavian-to-left common carotid artery bypass and has had no syncope since that time.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of cough syncope and severe cerebrovascular disease in which surgery led to amelioration of symptoms. Cerebrovascular occlusive disease may contribute to cough syncope.
Linzer
M
M
Syncope Evaluation Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111.
McFarland
T A
TA
Belkin
M
M
Caplan
L
L
D001027:Aortography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology*; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014711:Vertebral Artery