Management of vasovagal syncope: 2004.
Vasovagal syncope is a common disorder that affects at least 20% of people at some time in their lives. Probably half of these patients faint recurrently; for many this causes physical trauma, a substantial reduction in quality of life, and difficulties with driving, employment and education. The last 15 years have seen striking advances in diagnostic approaches and prognostic understanding. A number of physiological, pharmacological and electrical therapies have been developed and tested to various degrees in patients. These include counterpressure manoeuvres, salt and fluid recommendations, and attempted treatment with fludrocortisone, midodrine, beta-blockers, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and permanent pacemakers. This review highlights the most important of these advances and suggests strategies for managing this often difficult problem.
Sheldon
Robert
R
University of Calgary, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Drive NW Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada. Sheldon@ucalgary.ca.
Morillo
Carlos
C
Krahn
Andrew
A
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018667:Tilt-Table Test; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists