Lack of Variation in Venous Tone Potentiates Vasovagal Syncope

Overview

Journal Br Heart J

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 1992 Jun 1

PMID 1622700

Citations 9

Authors

A D Hargreaves

A L Muir

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the peripheral venous response to head up tilting in malignant vasovagal syndrome.

Patients: 31 Patients with unexplained syncope or dizziness referred from the cardiology department.

Methods: Changes in calf venous volume were studied by a radionuclide technique during 45 degrees head up tilt testing.

Results: During tilt testing six patients became syncopal but 25 were symptom free. The syncopal group had greater increases in calf venous volume after the change in posture and perhaps more importantly considerably less variability in the venous volume during the tilted period.

Conclusions: The venous response was different in the syncopal patients. The lack of response of the peripheral venous circulation to changes in the central circulation may be responsible for triggering the Bezold-Jarisch reflex and malignant vasovagal syncope.

Citing Articles

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Sheldon R, Grubb 2nd B, Olshansky B, Shen W, Calkins H, Brignole M Heart Rhythm. 2015; 12(6):e41-63.

PMID: 25980576 PMC: 5267948. DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.029.

Increased hydration alone does not improve orthostatic tolerance in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope.

Bellard E, Fortrat J, Custaud M, Victor J, Greenleaf J, Leftheriotis G Clin Auton Res. 2007; 17(2):99-105.

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Calf venous volume during stand-test after a 90-day bed-rest study with or without exercise countermeasure.

Belin de Chantemele E, Pascaud L, Custaud M, Capri A, Louisy F, Ferretti G J Physiol. 2004; 561(Pt 2):611-22.

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Assessment of left ventricular volume by an ambulatory radionuclide monitoring system during head-up tilt in patients with unexplained syncope: relation to autonomic activity assessed by heart rate variability.

Hosaka H, Takase B, Kitamura K, Uehata A, Satomura K, Isojima K J Nucl Cardiol. 2001; 8(6):660-8.

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Inadequate sympathovagal balance in response to orthostatism in patients with unexplained syncope and a positive head up tilt test.

Kouakam C, Lacroix D, Zghal N, Logier R, Klug D, Le Franc P Heart. 1999; 82(3):312-8.

PMID: 10455081 PMC: 1729176. DOI: 10.1136/hrt.82.3.312.

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