[The value of tilt-table examination in diagnosis of syncope: studies of 24 patients].

Abstract

Sudden hypotension, alone or combined with bradycardia is a major cause of syncope. 24 consecutive patients with a history of > 1 syncope of unknown aetiology were exposed to vagal provocation by the head-up tilt test. The clinical symptoms were reproduced in 11 patients under the given protocol, representing a sensitivity of 46%. The patients were followed up for 13.2 +/- 5.3 months. 7 of the 11 patients (64%) with a positive result on tilting versus 2 of the 13 patients (15%) with a negative result had a relapse of syncope. There was no statistical difference between the groups with regard to the number of syncopal episodes before patients were included in the study. Syncope in the head-up tilt test is, thus, a pointer towards identifying with a higher incidence of syncope on follow-up.

• Authors: O Merl, M Nürnberg, C Hief, P Rymarz, K Steinbach
• Journal: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift (Wien Klin Wochenschr) Vol. 107 Issue 16 Pg. 489-92 ( 1995) ISSN: 0043-5325 [Print] Austria
• Vernacular Title: Der Stellenwert der Kipptischuntersuchung in der Synkopendiagnostik: Untersuchungen an 24 Patienten.
• PMID: 7571643 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Heart Diseases (complications, diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Heart Rate (physiology)
• Humans
• Hypotension, Orthostatic (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Syncope (etiology, physiopathology)
• Tilt-Table Test
• Vagus Nerve (physiopathology)