Recurrent unexplained syncope: the role of head-upright tilt table testing.
Recurrent episodes of sudden unexplained syncope are a common complaint of patients referred to health care professionals for evaluation. Traditional evaluations are both time consuming and expensive and leave many patients without a diagnosis. Although vasovagally mediated episodes of hypotension and bradycardia have been thought to be a common cause of unexplained syncope, this was traditionally a diagnosis of exclusion. Head-upright tilt table testing has recently emerged as a valuable method for confirming the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope and has allowed a better understanding of this phenomena. This article reviews the pathophysiology of vasovagal syncope, the use of head-upright tilt table testing in its diagnosis, and potential therapies used to prevent recurrences.
Grubb
B P
BP
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699.
Kosinski
D
D
Samoil
D
D
D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture; D012008:Recurrence; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology