title: Neurally mediated syncope.
abstract: Neurally mediated syncope is a disorder of the autonomic regulation of postural tone, which results in hypotension, bradycardia, and loss of consciousness. A wide variety of stimuli can trigger this reflex, the most common stimulus being orthostatic stress. Typically, a patient with neurally mediated syncope experiences nausea, lightheadedness, a feeling of warmth, and pallor before abruptly losing consciousness. If the cause of syncope is unclear, a stepwise approach is necessary to arrive at the diagnosis. The diagnosis of neurally mediated syncope can be confirmed by a head-up tilt-table test. Treatment options include behavioral modification and several pharmacologic therapies. For severe recurrent syncope unresponsive to conventional treatment, a pacemaker can be implanted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaqqa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massumi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy