title: Diagnostic value of carotid sinus hypersensitivity.
abstract: In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) we have investigated 163 asymptomatic patients (88 male, 75 female, mean age 57.9 +/- 22.7 years) and 210 symptomatic patients (108 males, 102 females, mean age 61.1 +/- 28.1 years) with syncopes or dizziness. Thirty two of the 163 asymptomatic patients (20%) and 87 of the 210 symptomatic patients (41%) showed CSH (asystole greater than or equal to 3 sec during carotid sinus pressure). Male patients had a higher number of CSH than female (28% vs 10% in the asymptomatic group, 48% vs 34% in the symptomatic group). Electrophysiological investigations were performed in all 210 symptomatic patients. Normal electrophysiological results had 94 of the 210 patients. Thirty seven of these 94 patients showed CSH (39%). Prolonged sinus node recovery time (SNRT) and/or prolonged sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) were evaluated in 38 patients. Seventeen of the 38 patients had CSH (45%). Disorders of atrioventricular (AV) conduction were evaluated in 43 patients. Seventeen of the 43 patients showed CSH (40%). Thirty-five patients had both AV conduction disorders and prolonged SNRT or SACT. Sixteen of these 35 patients showed CSH (46%). In conclusion, no significant difference was found between patients with and without pathological electrophysiological results. The CSH is without value for predicting sinus node dysfunction and AV conduction disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, East Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Volkmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schnerch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kühnert
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000175:diagnosis; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000503:physiopathology; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000503:physiopathology*