Influence of the recurrent syncope episodes on neurocognitive functions in patients with vasovagal syncope.
The aim of study was to evaluate an influence of recurrent syncope episodes on the neurocognitive functions (NCF) in patients with suspected VVS.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of study was to evaluate an influence of recurrent syncope episodes on the neurocognitive functions (NCF) in patients with suspected VVS.


METHODS
Study population: 24 pts. (16 women) aged 17-70 yrs (mean age 40 years), with suspected VVS, referred to HUTT (head-up tilt test). All pts. underwent initial evaluation regarding to the number and circumstances of the syncopal and/or presyncopal spells. All pts performed HUTT with Westminster protocol. Basing on the syncope history and HUTT results, two groups of pts were distinguished: gr. I - 18 pts with at least 2 syncopal spells and positive HUTT, and gr. II 6 pts with only presyncopal status without complete loss of consciousness and negative HUTT. All pts underwent the evaluation of NCF with computer-assisted Vienna Test System battery, consisted of the following tests: DAUF - evaluation of long-term selective attention and concentration; COG - assessment of attention and concentration; STROOP - registration of the color-word interference tendency, CORSI - estimation of visual short-term memory capacity and implicite visuo-spatial learning. Values of the measured parameters were compared between both groups of pts.


RESULTS
Patients without syncope (gr. II) had higher number of correctly reproduced sequences (11,0 vs 8,38 p<0,01) and Reliable Spatial Span score (5,50 vs 4,46,p<0,02) in CORSI test, in relation to pts with syncope history (gr. I). This suggests possible influence of the recurrent syncope episodes on the short-term memory capacity in pts with VVS. There were no significant differences between groups, comparing results of the other tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Repeated syncope episodes may lead to impairment of short-term memory capacity in patients with vasovagal syndrome. Syncope episodes may have potentially negative influence on neurocognitive functions in patients with vasovagal syndrome.
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Joanna
J
Jędrzejczyk-Spaho
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Artur Z
AZ
Pietrucha
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Agnieszka
A
Borowiec
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Irena
I
Bzukała
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Mateusz
M
Wnuk
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Ewa
E
Konduracka
Syncope Unit, Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Jadwiga
J
Nessler
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
neurocognitive functions; vasovagal syncope