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Internal and Emergency Medicine May 2024To determine whether young women who have experienced typical vasovagal syncope (tVVS) have altered autonomic response parameters, based on a battery of autonomic tests...
To determine whether young women who have experienced typical vasovagal syncope (tVVS) have altered autonomic response parameters, based on a battery of autonomic tests and maneuvers. Notably, previous studies including small cohorts and a partial list of tests yielded conflicting results. A total of 91 otherwise healthy women were included and divided according to those who had experienced tVVS (39 patients) or not (52 patients). Heart rate variability was evaluated at rest, under strict conditions, during 5 min of standing and during a deep breathing test. Response to Valsalva maneuver and Ewing maneuver were also quantified and compared. Both groups had similar clinical characteristics at baseline. No significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the autonomic parameters evaluated. Autonomic responses in young women who experienced typical vasovagal syncope at baseline were indistinguishable from those who did not. Thus, using non-tilt test autonomic screening tests does not seem to provide diagnostic benefits, and may not be useful in predicting recurrence in this patient population.
PubMed: 38700783
DOI: 10.1007/s11739-024-03622-7 -
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic &... Feb 2024Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a prevalent condition characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to a brief loss of consciousness and postural... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The efficacy of non-pharmacological and non-pacing therapies in preventing vasovagal syncope: Tilt training, physical counter pressure maneuvers, and yoga - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a prevalent condition characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to a brief loss of consciousness and postural control. Recurrent episodes of VVS significantly impact the quality of life and are a common reason for emergency department visits. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as tilt training, physical counter pressure maneuvers, and yoga, have been proposed as potential treatments for VVS. However, their efficacy in preventing VVS remains uncertain.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to March 2023 for randomized controlled trials comparing non-pharmacological interventions with control in preventing VVS recurrence. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate of VVS episodes.
RESULTS
A total of 1130 participants from 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall mean effect size for non-pharmacological interventions versus control was 0.245 (95 % CI: 0.128-0.471, p-value <0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that yoga had the largest effect size (odds ratio 0.068, 95 % CI: 0.018-0.250), while tilt training had the lowest effect size (odds ratio 0.402, 95 % CI: 0.171-0.946) compared to control. Physical counter pressure maneuvers demonstrated an odds ratio of 0.294 (95 % CI: 0.165-0.524) compared to control.
CONCLUSION
Non-pharmacological interventions show promise in preventing recurrent VVS episodes. Yoga, physical counter pressure maneuvers, and tilt training can be considered as viable treatment options. Further research, including randomized studies comparing pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these interventions for VVS treatment.
Topics: Humans; Tilt-Table Test; Yoga; Syncope, Vasovagal; Quality of Life; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 38181551
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2023.103144 -
European Journal of Cardiovascular... Oct 2023Implantation of an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) is a simple procedure, but adds significant and increasing workload to the arrhythmia service. In 2020, we...
AIMS
Implantation of an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) is a simple procedure, but adds significant and increasing workload to the arrhythmia service. In 2020, we established a nurse-led ICM implantation service. We aimed to analyze patient satisfaction, adverse events during implant and ICM re-interventions with nurse-led ICM implantation (N-Implant) compared to physician-led ICM implantation (P-Implant).
METHOD AND RESULTS
From January 2020 to December 2021 we included all consecutive patients implanted with an ICM in a prospective registry. We collected data on patient characteristics, implant procedure and follow-up. Patients were interviewed by phone four weeks after ICM implantation.Of 321 patients implanted with an ICM (median age 67 years; 33% women), 189 (59%) were N-Implants. More N-Implants were performed in the outpatient clinic compared to P-Implants (95% vs. 8%; p<0.001). Two N-Implant patients experienced vaso-vagal reaction during implantation (1%), whereas no adverse events occurred during P-Implant (p=0.51). 297 patients (93%) completed the questionnaire. Duration of pain was shorter and wound closure after 2 weeks better following N-Implant (p=0.019 and p=0.018). A minor bruise or swelling at the implant site was reported more frequently after N-Implant (p=0.003 and p=0.041). Patient satisfaction was excellent with both N-Implant and P-Implant (99% and 97%; p=0.16). After a median follow-up of 242 days (range 7-725 days), five ICMs (2%) were explanted prematurely, without differences among groups. Reasons for premature explants were local discomfort (n=2), infection, MRI and ICM malfunction.
CONCLUSION
Nurse-led ICM implantation has excellent patient satisfaction without compromising safety. N-Implant both expands nursing competencies and reduces physician workload.
PubMed: 37851866
DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad103 -
Cardiology in the Young Apr 2024Head-up tilt test (HUTT) is an important tool in the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope. This research will explore the relationship between syncopal symptoms and...
OBJECTIVE
Head-up tilt test (HUTT) is an important tool in the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope. This research will explore the relationship between syncopal symptoms and HUTT modes in pediatric vasovagal syncope.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 2513 children aged 3-18 years, who were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2021 due to unexplained syncope or pre-syncope. The average age was 11.76 ± 2.83 years, including 1124 males and 1389 females. The patients were divided into the basic head-up tilt test (BHUT) group (596 patients) and the sublingual nitroglycerine head-up tilt test (SNHUT) group (1917 patients) according to the mode of positive HUTT at the time of confirmed pediatric vasovagal syncope.
RESULTS
(1) Baseline characteristics: Age, height, weight, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and composition ratio of syncope at baseline status were higher in the BHUT group than in the SNHUT group (all < 0.05). (2) Univariate analysis: Age, height, weight, HR, SBP, DBP, and syncope were potential risk factors for BHUT positive (all < 0.05). (3) Multivariate analysis: syncope was an independent risk factor for BHUT positive, with a probability increase of 121% compared to pre-syncope (<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The probability of BHUT positivity was significantly higher than SNHUT in pediatric vasovagal syncope with previous syncopal episodes.
PubMed: 38577783
DOI: 10.1017/S1047951124000726 -
Incidence of Adolescent Syncope and Related Injuries Following Vaccination and Routine Venipuncture.The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Apr 2024Vaccination is associated with syncope in adolescents. However, incidence of vaccine-associated syncope and resulting injury, and how it compares to syncope incidence...
PURPOSE
Vaccination is associated with syncope in adolescents. However, incidence of vaccine-associated syncope and resulting injury, and how it compares to syncope incidence following other medical procedures, is not known. Here, we describe the incidence of syncope and syncope-related injury in adolescents following vaccination and routine venipuncture.
METHODS
We identified all Kaiser Permanente Northwest members ages 9-18 years with a vaccination or routine venipuncture and a same-day International Classification of Diseases diagnosis of syncope from 2013 through 2019. All cases were chart reviewed to establish chronology of events (vaccination, venipuncture, syncope, and injury, as applicable) and to attribute cause to vaccination or venipuncture. Incidence rates for vaccine-associated and venipuncture-associated syncope were calculated overall, by sex and age group. Syncope events resulting in injury were assessed for each event type.
RESULTS
Of 197,642 vaccination and 12,246 venipuncture events identified, 549 vaccination and 67 venipuncture events had same-day syncope codes. Chart validation confirmed 59/549 (10.7%) events as vaccine-associated syncope, for a rate of 2.99 per 10,000 vaccination events (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.27-3.85) and 20/67 (29.9%) events as venipuncture-associated syncope, for a rate of 16.33 per 10,000 venipuncture events (95% CI: 9.98-25.21). The incidence rate ratio of vaccine-associated to venipuncture-associated syncope events was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.11-0.31). The incidence of vaccine-associated syncope increased with each additional simultaneously administered vaccine, from 1.51 per 10,000 vaccination events (95% CI: 0.93-2.30) following a single vaccine to 9.94 per 10,000 vaccination events (95% CI: 6.43-14.67) following three or more vaccines. Syncope resulted in injury in about 15% of both vaccine and venipuncture events.
DISCUSSION
Syncope occurs more commonly following venipuncture than vaccination. The number of simultaneously administered vaccines is a risk factor for postvaccination syncope in adolescents.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Incidence; Phlebotomy; Syncope; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 38069938
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.11.005 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2024Vasovagal syncope (VVS) and psychogenic pseudosyncope (PPS) can be difficult to distinguish, given their similar clinical presentations. This study was conducted to...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Vasovagal syncope (VVS) and psychogenic pseudosyncope (PPS) can be difficult to distinguish, given their similar clinical presentations. This study was conducted to explore the clinical value of catecholamine levels in the differential diagnosis of VVS and PPS in children.
METHODS
This retrospective case-control study was conducted with data from children with VVS and PPS who underwent head-up tilt tests (HUTTs) at the Children's Hospital of Hebei Province between March 2021 and March 2023. The data collected were baseline clinical characteristics, HUTT results, serum catecholamine levels in the supine and upright positions, and 24 h urinary catecholamine concentrations. These variables were compared between the VVS and PPS groups.
RESULTS
From 328 potentially eligible cases, 54 (16.46%) cases of VVS and 24 (7.32%) cases of PPS were included in the analysis. No significant difference in age, sex, body mass index, or syncope frequency was observed between the VVS and PPS groups. The main predisposing factors for syncope were body position changes in the VSS group (83.33%) and emotional changes in the PPS group (41.67%). The episode duration was significantly shorter in the VSS group than in the PPS group (4.01 ± 1.20 vs. 24.06 ± 5.56 min, < 0.05). The recovery time was also shorter in the VVS group than in the PPS group (1.91 ± 0.85 vs. 8.62 ± 2.55 min, < 0.05). Relative to patients with PPS, those with VVS had significantly higher serum epinephrine (EP) levels in the upright position [199.35 (102.88, 575.00) vs. 147.40 (103.55, 227.25), < 0.05] and lower serum epinephrine levels in the supine position [72.70 (42.92, 122.85) vs. 114.50 (66.57, 227.50), < 0.05].
CONCLUSIONS
Serum EP levels have potential value in the differential diagnosis of VVS and PPS.
PubMed: 38884104
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1281196 -
International Journal of Cardiology Jun 2024There is no universally followed protocol for managing Reflex Vasovagal syncope (VVS).
BACKGROUND
There is no universally followed protocol for managing Reflex Vasovagal syncope (VVS).
METHODS
VVS patients were treated with a 2 step protocol. Step I - counseling, hydration, physiotherapy, and Tadasana Yoga maneuver. Patients with ≥2 VVS recurrences were given step II care - intensification of step I, elastic stockings,and pharmacotherapy. Follow-up included assessment by periodic functional status questionnaires.
RESULTS
157 patients (103 males & 54 females,mean age - 53 ± 20 years & mean LVEF - 62 ± 5%.) experienced 837 total events - 382 syncopal, and 485 near syncopal episodes over 14 ± 9 months. After step I protocol, the mean total, syncopal and near syncopal events declined from 5 ± 7 to 0.3 ± 1.2 (P < 0.0001), 3 ± 2 to 0.1 ± 0.4 (P < 0.0001) and 3 ± 6 to 0.2 ± 1.1 (P < 0.0001) respectively . Twenty (12.7%) patients had 53 event recurrences, 15- syncopal episodes in 7 and 38 near syncope events in 13. After step II, 5 patients had 14 events. At 33 ± 15 months, in 152 patients (96.8%) there were no recurrences and syncope was prevented in all (100%). The median total, syncopal and near syncopal events declined from 3 to 0,(p < 0.001) 2 to 0 (p < 0.001) and 1 to 0 (p < 0.001) respectively. There was an improvement in all the 3 quality of life parameters.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrate a simple and effective protocol that can be universally adopted to prevent VVS recurrences,with improvement in quality of life.
PubMed: 38945370
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132302 -
Ochsner Journal 2023Syncope is a common complaint in clinical practice. The etiologies and mechanisms can be multiple and complex. Syncope caused by a mediastinal mass compressing the...
Syncope is a common complaint in clinical practice. The etiologies and mechanisms can be multiple and complex. Syncope caused by a mediastinal mass compressing the vagus nerve is rare. We report the case of a patient who presented to the emergency department experiencing recurrent syncope. Imaging revealed a large, calcified mass in the right paratracheal region. After intracranial lesions, cardiac arrhythmias, and orthostatic hypotension were excluded, we suspected that the syncope was related to vagus nerve compression. The patient underwent surgical resection of a mediastinal mass and had complete resolution of syncopal episodes after surgery. This case outcome suggests that recurrent syncope could be the first symptom of an intrathoracic mass.
PubMed: 37711479
DOI: 10.31486/toj.23.0032 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Jul 2023BACKGROUND Vasovagal syncope is a loss of consciousness caused by decreased arterial pressure and cerebral blood flow. The characteristic features of vasovagal syncope...
BACKGROUND Vasovagal syncope is a loss of consciousness caused by decreased arterial pressure and cerebral blood flow. The characteristic features of vasovagal syncope include cardiovascular inhibition caused by neural reflexes, accompanied by vasodilation and bradycardia. To date, there is little literature to report several episodes of syncope under spinal anesthesia during the perioperative period for drainage of an anal abscess. The purpose of this article is to alert clinical practitioners to the early identification of the underlying causes of vasovagal syncope and to facilitate timely and effective management strategies. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 44-year-old man with a perianal abscess who was scheduled for an incision and drainage procedure for the abscess under spinal anesthesia. Preoperative assessment revealed no history of cardiac disease, neurological disorders, or drug allergies. During the perioperative period, the patient experienced 3 episodes of syncope: 1 episode during puncture of spinal anesthesia, and the others at 6.5 h and 8.5 h after the procedure. The patient was discharged 4 days later, and a 30-day postoperative follow-up showed good recovery, without any episodes of syncope. CONCLUSIONS We described a case of 3 episodes of vasovagal syncope occurring in a patient during the perioperative period of drainage of perianal abscess under spinal anesthesia. Pain may have been the main cause of vasovagal syncope in this patient. To avoid vasovagal syncope, it is best for anesthesiologists to choose the lateral position to perform spinal anesthesia and to provide good perioperative pain management for these patients.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Syncope, Vasovagal; Anesthesia, Spinal; Abscess; Syncope; Drainage; Anus Diseases; Pain
PubMed: 37491800
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.940391 -
Cardiology in the Young Apr 2024Malignant vasovagal syncope in children seriously affects their physical and mental health. Our study aimed to explore the efficacy of catheter ablation in ganglionated...
AIM
Malignant vasovagal syncope in children seriously affects their physical and mental health. Our study aimed to explore the efficacy of catheter ablation in ganglionated plexus with malignant vasovagal syncope children.
CONCLUSION
Catheter ablation of ganglionated plexus was safe and effective in children with malignant vasovagal syncope and can be used as a treatment option for these children.
METHODS
A total of 20 children diagnosed with malignant vasovagal syncope were enrolled in Beijing Children's Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University. All underwent catheter ablation treatment of ganglionated plexus. Ganglionated plexuses of the left atrium were identified by high-frequency stimulation and/or anatomic landmarks being targeted by radiofrequency catheter ablation. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by comparing the remission rate of post-operative syncopal symptoms and the rate of negative head-up tilt results. Safety and adverse events were evaluated.
RESULTS
After follow-up for 2.5 (0.6-5) years, the syncope symptom scores were decreased significantly compared with before treatment [3 (2-4) versus 5 (3-8) scores, P < 0.01]. Eighty-five per cent (17/20) children no longer experienced syncope, whilst 80% (16/20) children showed negative head-up tilt test after treatment. No adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmia occurred in the children.
PubMed: 38572563
DOI: 10.1017/S1047951124000659