Pathophysiology and management of neurocardiogenic syncope.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the physiologic mechanisms underlying neurocardiogenic syncope in the context of several different management strategies.


METHODS
Neurocardiogenic syncope or the "common faint" is variously called neurally mediated hypotension, vasovagal syncope, or vasodepressor syncope. It is the most common type of syncope. The pathophysiology of neurocardiogenic syncope is complex and not completely elucidated. Individuals susceptible to neurocardiogenic syncope are unable to maintain the adaptive neurocardiovascular responses to upright posture for prolonged periods. These patients tend to have a modest reduction in central blood volume, which is aggravated by upright posture. It is often noted in individuals receiving sympathetic blocking agents and vasodilator drugs for hypertension, elderly patients receiving tranquilizers, patients with anemia, and individuals with tran- sient reductions in blood volume such as those that occur after a brisk diuresis or blood donation. The classic syncopal episode often is preceded by a constellation of prodromal symptoms several seconds before the event that may include nausea, headache, diaphoresis, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, and paresthesia.


RESULTS
Head-up tilt testing has become the diagnostic study of choice for the identification of patients with neurocardiogenic syncope. Therapeutic options include general measures such as volume expansion; pharmacologic approaches such as beta-adrenergic receptor blockade, anticholinergic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, methylxanthines, and alpha agonists; and invasive methods such as placement of a dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker.
Nair
Nandini
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Penn 19102-1192, USA.
Padder
Farooq A
FA
Kantharia
Bharat K
BK
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities / Q000150:complications; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D018475:Head-Down Tilt; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014970:Xanthines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine