Objective: Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic input of head-up tilt test in the exploration of unexplained syncope.
Method: Between January 2009 and December 2012, all patients undergoing a head-up tilt test for recurrent syncope were studied. Follow-up data were obtained using telephone interviews and medical record reviews.
Results: A head-up tilt test was realized in 77 patients (47.8±20years, 53% female) for an exploration of syncope. The tilt test elicited syncope or pre-syncope in 57 patients (74%). The positive response included vaso-vagal syncope in 53 patients and psychogenic syncope in 4 patients. After a mean follow-up of 32±11months (range 6-54months), 90% of patients had not a recurrence of syncope. Of note, the incidence of recurrence was the same regardless of whether the patients had a positive (n=5/48; 10%) or a negative head-up tilt test response (n=2/19; 10%).
Conclusion: The tilt test has a certain diagnostic value in the exploration of unexplained syncope. Recurrence rate of syncope after a tilt test is low. However, our study suggests no correlation between head-up tilt test results and the likelihood of recurring syncope.
Keywords: Head-up tilt test; Syncope inexpliquée; Test d’inclinaison; Unexplained syncope.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier SAS.