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Europace 2000 2(4):343-345; doi:10.1053/eupc.2000.0116
© 2000 by European Society of Cardiology
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SYNCOPE

Venous pooling during nitrate-stimulated tilt testing in patients with vasovagal syncope

M. A. C. Koole1, A. Aerts2, J. Praet3, Ph. Franken3, P. Dendale4 and P. Block3

1Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 2Department of Cardiology, Atrium Medisch Centrum Heerlen, The Netherlands; 3Department of Cardiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels, Belgium; 4Heart Centre Hasselt Belgium

Abstract

AIMS: To investigate the importance of venous pooling and variation in venous tone during nitrate-stimulated tilt testing in patients.

METHODS: Ten patients with a history of vasovagal syncope underwent an upright tilt test after an injection of99mTc-labelled albumin. A gamma camera was positioned at the level of the lower legs. The patients were tilted to 90° for 30 min or until symptoms developed. In those subjects who did not show any symptoms before the end of the 30-min period, isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) 5 mg was given sublingually and the test was prolonged for a maximum of 15 min.

RESULTS: Nine of 10 patients needed nitrate stimulation to develop symptoms, and one patient remained symptom free following ISDN administration. Measurement of radioactivity revealed no significant increase in calf volume after nitrate stimulation (the mean volume increase was 77% before ISDN stimulation and a further 0·9% afterwards).

CONCLUSIONS: The higher sensitivity for vasovagal syncope during upright tilt testing after administration of sublingual ISDN is not due to an increase in venous pooling in the lower extremities.

Key Words: Upright, tilt testing, vasovagal syncope, nitrates, venous pooling

Correspondence: M. A. C. Koole, Vierwindenstraat 4, 1013 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


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