Efficacy of pindolol for treatment of vasovagal syncope.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerance of pindolol as initial therapy for vasovagal syncope. Head-up tilt table testing (HUT) was performed on 192 patients for syncope or near-syncope of unknown cause. Forty-four (23%) patients had a positive HUT for vasovagal syncope, and 28 (64%) received oral pindolol as initial therapy. Three patients were lost to follow-up; of the remaining 25 patients (mean age 60 +/- 22 years), 15 were women, 14 had syncope, and 11 had near-syncope. At 14 +/- 6 months' follow-up, 16 (64%) patients were without recurrence or side effects from pindolol. Of the 9 patients who stopped taking pindolol, 3 were switched to another regimen for recurrent symptoms, 2 stopped because of side effects, and 4 did not comply with the regimen. In conclusion, pindolol appears to be safe and effective as initial treatment for vasovagal syncope.
Cohen
M B
MB
Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
Snow
J S
JS
Grasso
V
V
Lehnert
L
L
Goldner
B G
BG
Jadonath
R L
RL
Cohen
T J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010869:Pindolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013575:Syncope / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018667:Tilt-Table Test; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D010869:Pindolol