Cough syncope due to atrio-ventricular conduction block.
A case of cough syncope due to A-V conduction block of the heart is reported in this paper. A-V conduction block and lightheadedness were induced by coughing but not by an Aschner test, carotid sinus massage, Valsalva maneuver, pharyngeal stimulation, and stimulation of systemic baroreceptors. Permanent right-ventricular pacing completely abolished the patient's symptoms. The results suggest that hypersensitivity of a broncho-pulmonary reflex to coughing was responsible for the A-V conduction block and resulting syncopes.
D000368:Aged; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology*