title: Management of vasovagal syncope.
abstract: Vasovagal syncope is a common disorder of autonomic cardiovascular regulation that can be very disabling and result in a significant level of psychosocial and physical limitations. The optimal approach to treatment of patients with vasovagal syncope remains uncertain. Although many different types of treatment have been proposed and appear effective based largely on small nonrandomized studies and clinical series, there is a remarkable absence of data from large prospective clinical trials. However, based on currently available data, the pharmacologic agents most likely to be effective in the treatment of patients with vasovagal syncope include beta blockers, fludrocortisone, and alpha-adrenergic agonists. In this article, we provide a summary of the various therapeutic options that have been proposed for vasovagal syncope and review the clinical studies that form the basis of present therapy for this relatively common entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Atiga
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Calkins
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004206:Disopyramide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004206:Disopyramide; D005438:Fludrocortisone; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors