[Quantitative tilt table study with TCD monitoring. A reliable method for the diagnosis of neurocardiogenic syncope (vasovagal syncope)]

Nervenarzt. 1995 Feb;66(2):116-23.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The clinical significance of quantitative tilt-table examination with TCD monitoring in the diagnosis of neurocardiogenic syncope is evaluated. A 50-year-old male suffered a neurocardiogenic syncope during tilt-table examination with a strong drop in blood pressure, an increase in cerebrovascular resistance as evidenced by transcranial Doppler monitoring, and a 30-s cardiac asystole, followed by a generalized seizure. No further syncope could be elicited during tilt-table examination after beta-blocker treatment. It was hypothesized that hyperactivity of the left ventricular mechanoreceptors due to increased force of ventricular contraction during a state of reduced venous backstream to the heart was responsible for eliciting the neurocardiogenic syncope. Tilt-table examination with an upright position for at least 45 min enables the diagnosis of a neurocardiogenic syncope to be made with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Several studies have shown that medication with beta-blockers is successful in the treatment of neurocardiogenic syncope. The implantation of cardiac pacemakers should only be considered if medication is not successful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Arousal / drug effects
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Heart Ventricles / drug effects
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mechanoreceptors / drug effects
  • Mechanoreceptors / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Syncope / etiology*
  • Syncope / physiopathology
  • Syncope / therapy
  • Tilt-Table Test*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Vagus Nerve / drug effects
  • Vagus Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Vascular Resistance / drug effects
  • Vascular Resistance / physiology
  • Vasomotor System / drug effects
  • Vasomotor System / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists