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Russo V, Parente E, Groppelli A, Rivasi G, Tomaino M, Gargaro A, Giacopelli D, Ungar A, Parati G, Fedorowski A, Sutton R, van Dijk JG, Brignole M. Prevalence of asystole during tilt test-induced vasovagal syncope may depend on test methodology. Europace 2023; 25:263-269. [PMID: 36796797 PMCID: PMC10103574 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review addresses tilt-testing methodology by searching the literature which reports timing of asystole and loss of consciousness (LOC). Despite the Italian protocol being the most widely adopted, its stipulations are not always followed to the letter of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The discrepancies permit reassessment of the incidence of asystole when tilt-down is early, impending syncope, compared with late, established LOC. Asystole is uncommon with early tilt down and diminishes with increasing age. However, if LOC is established as test-end, asystole is more common, and it is age-independent. Thus, the implications are that asystole is commonly under-diagnosed by early tilt-down. The prevalence of asystolic responses observed using the Italian protocol with a rigorous tilt down time is numerically close to that observed during spontaneous attacks by electrocardiogram loop recorder. Recently, tilt-testing has been questioned as to its validity but, in selection of pacemaker therapy in older highly symptomatic vasovagal syncope patients, the occurrence of asystole has been shown to be an effective guide for treatment. The use of head-up tilt test as an indication for cardiac pacing therapy requires pursuing the test until complete LOC. This review offers explanations for the findings and their applicability to practice. A novel interpretation is offered to explain why pacing induced earlier may combat vasodepression by raising the heart rate when sufficient blood remains in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Russo
- Chair of Cardiology, University of the Study of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Ospedale Monaldi, Via Leonardo Bianchi, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Erika Parente
- Chair of Cardiology, University of the Study of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Ospedale Monaldi, Via Leonardo Bianchi, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonella Groppelli
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint & Fall programme, Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, S.Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Rivasi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Tomaino
- Ospedale Generale Regionale, Via Lorenz Böhler, 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alessio Gargaro
- Research Clinical Unit, BIOTRONIK Italia S.p.A., Via Alessandro Volta 16, 20093 Cologno, Monzese, Italy
| | - Daniele Giacopelli
- Research Clinical Unit, BIOTRONIK Italia S.p.A., Via Alessandro Volta 16, 20093 Cologno, Monzese, Italy
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Parati
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint & Fall programme, Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, S.Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Artur Fedorowski
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Nobels väg 6, 171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Nobels väg 6, 171 77 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Richard Sutton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Department of Cardiology, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - J Gert van Dijk
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michele Brignole
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint & Fall programme, Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, S.Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
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Brignole M, Rivasi G, Fedorowski A, Ståhlberg M, Groppelli A, Ungar A. Tests for the identification of reflex syncope mechanism. Expert Rev Med Devices 2023; 20:109-119. [PMID: 36814102 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2023.2174428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment efficacy of reflex syncope is mainly related to the mechanism underlying syncope rather than its etiology or clinical presentation. The predominant mechanism underlying reflex syncope can be assigned to hypotensive or to bradycardic phenotypes. AREAS COVERED Methodology and diagnostic criteria of the most useful tests for the identification of hypotensive and bradycardic phenotypes are discussed. Diagnostic tests for the hypotensive phenotype include office blood pressure measurement with active standing test, home, and wearable blood pressure monitoring, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and tilt table test. Diagnostic tests for the bradycardic phenotype include carotid sinus massage, tilt table test and prolonged ECG monitoring. EXPERT OPINION In reflex syncope, the documentation of bradycardia/asystole during a syncopal episode does not rule out the possibility that a preceding or parallel hypotensive reflex plays an important role. Similarly, even when a hypotensive mechanism is established, the possibility of an associated cardioinhibitory reflex should be investigated. Investigating the mechanism of reflex syncope is mandatory in patients with severe recurrent episodes, with the final aim to develop a personalized treatment strategy. Recent trials have demonstrated the benefits of personalized mechanism-based therapy, thus highlighting the importance of a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms underlying syncope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Brignole
- Department of Cardiology, S. Luca Hospital, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Rivasi
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Artur Fedorowski
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
| | - Marcus Ståhlberg
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
| | - Antonella Groppelli
- Department of Cardiology, S. Luca Hospital, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
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Tomaino M, Russo V, Giacopelli D, Gargaro A, Brignole M. Cardiac Pacing in Cardioinhibitory Reflex Syncope: Clinical Use of Closed-loop Stimulation. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2021; 10:244-249. [PMID: 35106176 PMCID: PMC8785081 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac pacing has been studied extensively in patients with reflex syncope over the past two decades. The heterogeneity of the forms and clinical manifestations of reflex syncope explain the controversial results of older randomised clinical trials. New evidence from recent trials has changed medical practice, now leading to clear indications for pacing in patients with asystolic syncope documented during carotid sinus massage, implantable cardiac monitoring or tilt testing. Given that recent trials in reflex syncope have been performed using the closed-loop stimulation algorithm, the authors will briefly discuss this pacing mode, review hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying its activation during syncope and provide practical instructions for programming and troubleshooting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Cardiology, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Ospedale Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Brignole
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint and Fall Programme, Ospedale San Luca, Milano, Italy
- Arrhythmology Centre and Syncope Unit, Department of Cardiology, Ospedali del Tigullio, Lavagna, Italy
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Electrocardiographic Patterns in Patients with Neurally Mediated Syncope. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:medicina57080808. [PMID: 34441014 PMCID: PMC8399501 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57080808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) is less informative in neurally mediated syncope (NMS) than in arrhythmic syncope. However, some of the ECG patterns present in NMS can have diagnostic and prognostic value in such patients. Electrocardiographic documentation of a syncopal spell and thus identification of the ECG changes can be performed during tilt table test (TTT) or during prolonged ECG monitoring. This work reviews the specific ECG patterns in NMS, which are primarily related to the cardioinhibitory reflex. In addition, there are other ECG findings present in patients with NMS that are being analyzed, such as increased heart rate variability as well as specific QRS voltage patterns. In addition to the diagnostic and prognostic value, these ECG patterns in NMS may help improving the selection of patients for pacemaker implant.
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Wieling W, Jardine DL. Efficacy of the Biosync trial: the information published from this trial to date is not sufficient to change theory. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:4497-4498. [PMID: 34151356 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Wieling
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Secretary D3, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - David L Jardine
- Department of General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Wieling W, Jardine DL. Effectiveness of Closed Loop Stimulation pacing in patients with cardio-inhibitory vasovagal reflex syncope is questionable. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:1710. [PMID: 33734309 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Wieling
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Secretary D3, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David L Jardine
- Department of General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, University of Otago, Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
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Wieling W, Kaufmann H. What is the best method to diagnose a vasovagal syncope? Clin Auton Res 2021; 31:347-349. [PMID: 33961160 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-021-00809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Wieling
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Secretary D3, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Horacio Kaufmann
- Department of Neurology, Dysautonomia Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
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