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Pacing in vasovagal syncope : physiology, pacemaker sensors and recent clinical trials. Precise patient selection and measurable benefit

Sutton, Richard ; de Jong, Jelle Sy ; Stewart, Julian M ; Fedorowski, Artur LU orcid and de Lange, Frederik J (2020) In Heart Rhythm 17(5A). p.821-828
Abstract

The role of pacing in vasovagal syncope (VVS) is considered from a physiological basis. Most VVS patients lose consciousness due to hypotension before severe bradycardia/asystole occurs. Patients that benefit from dual-chamber pacing are typically older with highly symptomatic, late-onset, frequent and severe syncope with short/no prodrome and documented severe cardioinhibition. Tilt-testing is of value in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope to identify important hypotensive susceptibility stemming from reduced venous return and stroke volume. A negative tilt-test in vasovagal patients with spontaneous asystole documented by implantable/insertable loop-recorder is associated with lower syncope recurrence rates after pacemaker... (More)

The role of pacing in vasovagal syncope (VVS) is considered from a physiological basis. Most VVS patients lose consciousness due to hypotension before severe bradycardia/asystole occurs. Patients that benefit from dual-chamber pacing are typically older with highly symptomatic, late-onset, frequent and severe syncope with short/no prodrome and documented severe cardioinhibition. Tilt-testing is of value in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope to identify important hypotensive susceptibility stemming from reduced venous return and stroke volume. A negative tilt-test in vasovagal patients with spontaneous asystole documented by implantable/insertable loop-recorder is associated with lower syncope recurrence rates after pacemaker implantation. Pacing may be more effective if triggered by sensor detection of a parameter changing earlier in the reflex than bradycardia when stroke volume may still be relatively preserved. In this regard, detection of right ventricular impedance offers promise. In conclusion, conservatism is recommended limiting pacing in VVS to a small subset of symptomatic older patients with clearly documented cardioinhibition paying particular attention to the timing of loss of consciousness in relation to asystole/bradycardia. Understanding VVS physiology permits application of well-timed and appropriate pacing that yields benefit for highly symptomatic patients.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Heart Rhythm
volume
17
issue
5A
pages
821 - 828
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:32036025
  • scopus:85083064519
ISSN
1547-5271
DOI
10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.01.029
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.
id
e1dca4fc-b6f3-4919-bf93-a89aa600bd38
date added to LUP
2020-02-11 11:11:16
date last changed
2024-05-29 08:04:04
@article{e1dca4fc-b6f3-4919-bf93-a89aa600bd38,
  abstract     = {{<p>The role of pacing in vasovagal syncope (VVS) is considered from a physiological basis. Most VVS patients lose consciousness due to hypotension before severe bradycardia/asystole occurs. Patients that benefit from dual-chamber pacing are typically older with highly symptomatic, late-onset, frequent and severe syncope with short/no prodrome and documented severe cardioinhibition. Tilt-testing is of value in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope to identify important hypotensive susceptibility stemming from reduced venous return and stroke volume. A negative tilt-test in vasovagal patients with spontaneous asystole documented by implantable/insertable loop-recorder is associated with lower syncope recurrence rates after pacemaker implantation. Pacing may be more effective if triggered by sensor detection of a parameter changing earlier in the reflex than bradycardia when stroke volume may still be relatively preserved. In this regard, detection of right ventricular impedance offers promise. In conclusion, conservatism is recommended limiting pacing in VVS to a small subset of symptomatic older patients with clearly documented cardioinhibition paying particular attention to the timing of loss of consciousness in relation to asystole/bradycardia. Understanding VVS physiology permits application of well-timed and appropriate pacing that yields benefit for highly symptomatic patients.</p>}},
  author       = {{Sutton, Richard and de Jong, Jelle Sy and Stewart, Julian M and Fedorowski, Artur and de Lange, Frederik J}},
  issn         = {{1547-5271}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5A}},
  pages        = {{821--828}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Heart Rhythm}},
  title        = {{Pacing in vasovagal syncope : physiology, pacemaker sensors and recent clinical trials. Precise patient selection and measurable benefit}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.01.029}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.01.029}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}