title: Causes of syncope in patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with donepezil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with cholinesterase inhibitors carries a theoretical risk of precipitating bradycardia. Though syncope occurs in patients with AD, its aetiology is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of syncope in patients with AD who were treated with donepezil and hospitalised for evaluation of syncope.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 16 consecutive patients (12 women, 4 men) with AD aged 80 +/- 4 years who were hospitalised for evaluation of syncope. All patients underwent staged evaluation, ranging from physical examination to electrophysiological testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean dose of donepezil administered was 7.8 mg/day, and the mean duration of donepezil treatment at the time of syncope was 12 +/- 8 months. A cause of syncope was identified in 69% of patients. Carotid sinus syndrome was observed in three patients, complete atrioventricular block in two patients, sinus node dysfunction in two patients, severe orthostatic hypotension in two patients and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in one patient. A brain tumour was discovered in one patient. No cause of syncope was found in 31% of patients despite comprehensive investigation. Repetition of the investigations after discontinuation of donepezil was noncontributory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with AD treated with donepezil, a noninvasive evaluation identified a probable cause of syncope in over two-thirds of patients. Cardiovascular abnormalities were predominant. Noninvasive evaluation is recommended before discontinuing treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with AD and unexplained syncope.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Hospital of Haut-Leveque, Bordeaux-Pessac, France. Philbordier@aol.com
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bordier
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanusse
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garrigue
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynard
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gencel
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lafitte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077265:Donepezil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013575:Syncope / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil