title: Value of pre-operative carotid sinus massage.
abstract: The usefulness of carotid sinus massage in pre-operative assessment is discussed with case examples. The technique and risks of carotid sinus massage are described. Carotid sinus massage is of particular value in the demonstration of sino-atrial and atrioventricular node disease in the absence of definitive abnormalities on the routine resting electrocardiogram, and in the identification of patients who show a hypersensitive response to vagal stimulation. These patients should be identified prior to procedures that involve marked vagal activity, since prolonged sinus arrest may occur.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis; D002346:Carotid Sinus; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*