Reduced baroreflex sensitivity in patients with vasovagal syncope

P. Mitro, M. Simurda, L. Evin, P. Murin, E. Muller
2015 Bratislava Medical Journal  
OBJECTIVES: The evidence is confl icting regarding the role of barorefl ex in patients with vasovagal syncope. The aim of the study was to measure barorefl ex sensitivity (BRS) and hemodynamic parameters during head up tilt test (HUT) with nitroglycerine stimulation. METHODS: Nitroglycerine stimulated HUT was performed in 51 patients with the history of recurrent syncope (mean age 46± 19 years, 18 men, 23 women). Cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), left-ventricular ejection time (LVET) and
more » ... total peripheral resistance (TPR) were assessed during HUT by volume-clamp method using a beat-to-beat photopletysmography. Spontaneous BRS sensitivity was computed using a sequential BRS calculation. RESULTS: HUT was positive after nitroglycerine administration in 28 patients and negative in 23 patients. BRS was lower at the time of syncope in HUT positive group compared to end-test values in HUT negative group (0.54±0.27 vs 0.72±0.35, p = 0. 03). At the time of syncope, CO was signifi cantly lower in HUT positive patients compared to HUT negative patients (2.6±1.4 vs 4.3±1.4 l/min, p < 0.0001), similarly as SV (34.7±14.7 vs 49.2±19 ml, p=0.005 ). LVET was signifi cantly higher in syncopal patients (282.27±26.2 vs 240.5±58.8 ms, p=0.002) and TPR did not differ between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced BRS may contribute to the development of the vasovagal syncope by inability to adequately counteract hypotension resulting from decreased cardiac output at the time of syncope (Tab. 3, Ref. 18). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.
doi:10.4149/bll_2015_113 fatcat:2auawkzy5ne6jnyxunhtnn7mqu