title: Treatment of persistent sinus bradycardia with intermittent symptoms: are guidelines clear?
abstract: There is uncertainty in the aetiology of syncope in subjects with persistent sinus bradycardia (SB) (sick sinus syndrome). The results of pathophysiological studies suggest a reflex origin of syncope in the vast majority of subjects with SB. From a nosological point of view, 'syndrome' is defined as the association of signs and symptoms that have a pathophysiological correlation. Since in most cases the causal relationship between syncope and persistent SB appears very weak, 'reflex syncope with associated SB' appears to be the most appropriate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Arrhythmologic Center, Ospedale Civile di Cento, 44042 Cento (FE), Italy. p.alboni@ausl.fe.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alboni
authors.forename: Lorella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianfranchi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brignole
mesh_terms: D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*