Efficacy of pindolol for treatment of vasovagal syncope.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerance of pindolol as initial therapy for vasovagal syncope. Head-up tilt table testing (HUT) was performed on 192 patients for syncope or near-syncope of unknown cause. Forty-four (23%) patients had a positive HUT for vasovagal syncope, and 28 (64%) received oral pindolol as initial therapy. Three patients were lost to follow-up; of the remaining 25 patients (mean age 60 +/- 22 years), 15 were women, 14 had syncope, and 11 had near-syncope. At 14 +/- 6 months' follow-up, 16 (64%) patients were without recurrence or side effects from pindolol. Of the 9 patients who stopped taking pindolol, 3 were switched to another regimen for recurrent symptoms, 2 stopped because of side effects, and 4 did not comply with the regimen. In conclusion, pindolol appears to be safe and effective as initial treatment for vasovagal syncope.

• Authors: M B Cohen, J S Snow, V Grasso, L Lehnert, B G Goldner, R L Jadonath, T J Cohen
• Journal: American heart journal (Am Heart J) Vol. 130 Issue 4 Pg. 786-90 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 0002-8703 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7572587 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Sympathomimetics
• Pindolol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pindolol (therapeutic use)
• Sympathomimetics (therapeutic use)
• Syncope (drug therapy)
• Tilt-Table Test
• Treatment Outcome