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van Dijk JG, van Rossum IA, Thijs RD. The pathophysiology of vasovagal syncope: Novel insights. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102899. [PMID: 34688189 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of vasovagal syncope (VVS) is reviewed, focusing on hemodynamic aspects. Much more is known about orthostatic than about emotional VVS, probably because the former can be studied using a tilt table test (TTT). Recent advances made it possible to quantify the relative contributions of the three factors that control blood pressure: heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral resistance (TPR). Orthostatic VVS starts with venous pooling, reflected in a decrease of SV. This is followed by cardioinhibition (CI), which is a decrease of HR that accelerates the ongoing decrease of BP, making the start of CI a literal as well as fundamental turning point. The role of hormonal and other humoral factors, respiration and of psychological influences is reviewed in short, leading to the conclusion that a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the pathophysiology of VVS may yield new insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gert van Dijk
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Ineke A van Rossum
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Roland D Thijs
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, the Netherlands
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Brignole M, Rivasi G, Sutton R, Kenny RA, Morillo CA, Sheldon R, Raj SR, Ungar A, Furlan R, van Dijk G, Hamdan M, Hamrefors V, Engström G, Park C, Soranna D, Zambon A, Parati G, Fedorowski A. Low-blood pressure phenotype underpins the tendency to reflex syncope. J Hypertens 2021; 39:1319-1325. [PMID: 33560050 PMCID: PMC8183486 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000002800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We hypothesized that cardiovascular physiology differs in reflex syncope patients compared with the general population, predisposing such individuals to vasovagal reflex. METHODS In this multicohort cross-sectional study, we compared aggregate data of resting SBP, DBP, pulse pressure (PP) and heart rate (HR), collected from six community-based cohort studies (64 968 observations) with those from six databases of reflex syncope patients (6516 observations), subdivided by age decades and sex. RESULTS Overall, in male individuals with reflex syncope, SBP (-3.4 mmHg) and PP (-9.2 mmHg) were lower and DBP (+2.8 mmHg) and HR (+5.1 bpm) were higher than in the general population; the difference in SBP was higher at ages above 60 years. In female individuals, PP (-6.0 mmHg) was lower and DBP (+4.7 mmHg) and HR (+4.5 bpm) were higher than in the general population; differences in SBP were less pronounced, becoming evident only above 60 years. Compared with male individuals, SBP in female individuals exhibited slower increase until age 40 years, and then demonstrated steeper increase that continued throughout remaining life. CONCLUSION The patients prone to reflex syncope demonstrate a different resting cardiovascular haemodynamic profile as compared with a general population, characterized by lower SBP and PP, reflecting reduced venous return and lower stroke volume, and a higher HR and DBP, suggesting the activation of compensatory mechanisms. Our data contribute to a better understanding why some individuals with similar demographic characteristics develop reflex syncope and others do not. VIDEO ABSTRACT http://links.lww.com/HJH/B580.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Brignole
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint & Fall Programme, Ospedale San Luca, Milan
| | - Giulia Rivasi
- Syncope Unit, Division of Geriatrics and Intensive Care Unit, University of Florence and Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Richard Sutton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Ducane Road, London, UK
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- Chair Medical Gerontology, Syncope and Falls Unit, School of Medicine, St James Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carlos A. Morillo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert Sheldon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Satish R. Raj
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Syncope Unit, Division of Geriatrics and Intensive Care Unit, University of Florence and Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaello Furlan
- Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gert van Dijk
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mohamed Hamdan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Viktor Hamrefors
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Chloe Park
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College, London, UK
| | | | - Antonella Zambon
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Biostatistics Unit
- Department of Statistics and quantitative methods, University of Milano-Bicocca
| | - Gianfranco Parati
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Faint & Fall Programme, Ospedale San Luca, Milan
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca and IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
| | - Artur Fedorowski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University
- Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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van Dijk JG, van Rossum IA, Thijs RD. Timing of Circulatory and Neurological Events in Syncope. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:36. [PMID: 32232058 PMCID: PMC7082775 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Syncope usually lasts less than a minute, in which short time arterial blood pressure temporarily falls enough to decrease brain perfusion so much that loss of consciousness ensues. Blood pressure decreases quickest when the heart suddenly stops pumping, which happens in arrhythmia and in severe cardioinhibitory reflex syncope. Loss of consciousness starts about 8 s after the last heart beat and circulatory standstill occurs after 10-15 s. A much slower blood pressure decrease can occur in syncope due to orthostatic hypotension Standing blood pressure can then stabilize at low values often causing more subtle signs (i.e., inability to act) but often not low enough to cause loss of consciousness. Cerebral autoregulation attempts to keep cerebral blood flow constant when blood pressure decreases. In reflex syncope both the quick blood pressure decrease and its low absolute value mean that cerebral autoregulation cannot prevent syncope. It has more protective value in orthostatic hypotension. Neurological signs are related to the severity and timing of cerebral hypoperfusion. Several unanswered pathophysiological questions with possible clinical implications are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gert van Dijk
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ineke A van Rossum
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roland D Thijs
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, Netherlands
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Alnoor MS, Varner HK, Butler IJ, Zhu L, Numan MT. Baroreceptor activity and sensitivity: normal values in children and young adults using the head up tilt test. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:841-847. [PMID: 30728445 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baroreceptor function in children and adolescents has not been well studied in the current literature, with a lack of agreed upon normal values. The authors hypothesize that there is a significant increase in the baroreceptor activity with a decrease in the sensitivity during the upright phase in comparison to the supine phases of the head upright tilt test (HUTT) protocol. METHODS Baroreceptor evaluation was performed using the sequence method in 49 subjects ages 8-21 years, during the 3 phases of HUTT: supine, head up, and post-tilt supine positions. Baroreceptor Effectiveness Index (BEI) and the number and slope of baroreceptor events were recorded. RESULTS On study of the events and slope values, there was a significant difference between the three phases of the HUTT with regard to the baroreceptor activity and sensitivity. No significant difference was found in BEI. CONCLUSIONS Our study presents normal values of baroreceptor activity, sensitivity, and BEI in pediatric patients under controlled supine and head up position. We also present new data regarding delayed heart rate responses to pressure changes in the Lag 1 and Lag 2 parameters, which may be beneficial in diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with orthostatic intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S Alnoor
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Holly K Varner
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ian J Butler
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liang Zhu
- Division of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohammed T Numan
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Ceccofiglio A, Mussi C, Rafanelli M, Rivasi G, Bo M, Mossello E, Martone AM, Abete P, Ungar A. Increasing Prevalence of Orthostatic Hypotension as a Cause of Syncope With Advancing Age and Multimorbidity. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019; 20:586-588. [PMID: 30926410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.01.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ceccofiglio
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Mussi
- Centro di Valutazione e Ricerca Gerontologica, Chair of Geriatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Martina Rafanelli
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Rivasi
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Bo
- Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, Città della Salute e della Scienza-Molinette, Torino, Italy
| | - Enrico Mossello
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Martone
- Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Abete
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Department of Geriatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Italy.
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Wells R, Spurrier AJ, Linz D, Gallagher C, Mahajan R, Sanders P, Page A, Lau DH. Postural tachycardia syndrome: current perspectives. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2017; 14:1-11. [PMID: 29343965 PMCID: PMC5749569 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s127393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is the combination of an exaggerated heart rate response to standing, in association with symptoms of lightheadedness or pre-syncope that improve when recumbent. The condition is often associated with fatigue and brain fog, resulting in significant disruptions at a critical time of diagnosis in adolescence and young adulthood. The heterogeneity of the underlying pathophysiology and the variable response to therapeutic interventions make management of this condition challenging for both patients and physicians alike. Here, we aim to review the factors and mechanisms that may contribute to the symptoms and signs of POTS and to present our perspectives on the clinical approach toward the diagnosis and management of this complex syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Wells
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital.,Department of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
| | | | - Dominik Linz
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
| | - Celine Gallagher
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
| | - Rajiv Mahajan
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
| | - Amanda Page
- Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dennis H Lau
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital
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Vasovagal syncope with asystole: the role of cardiac pacing. Clin Auton Res 2017; 27:245-251. [DOI: 10.1007/s10286-017-0441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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