Prospective evaluation of high-dose or low-dose isoproterenol upright tilt protocol for unexplained syncope in young adults☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
Definitions
Syncope was defined as a brief loss of consciousness appearing suddenly or preceded by short prodromes (<10 seconds) with loss of postural tonus and spontaneous recovery of consciousness without therapeutic intervention.
Patient selection (group S)
From January 1992 to February 1994, 76 patients were enrolled in the study. Each was aged <30 years and had experienced at least one syncope of unexplained cause. Data included a complete history of past incidents, clinical examination, blood tests, a search for carotid sinus
RESULTS
Table I lists the main characteristics of each group. The mean age of patients in groups S and V was similar (between 20.7 and 22.4 years). Both groups were almost exclusively male (two women in the entire study). The difference between the average number of syncopes in group S1 (2.4) and group S2 (5.2) was not significant. The mean delay in carrying out HUT after the most recent syncopal event did not differ significantly in groups S1 and S2 (30.6 and 20.6 days, respectively.
DISCUSSION
Recurring losses of consciousness in children and young adults are a frequent reason for consultation in neurology or cardiology. 1, 17 Because the critical symptoms are fairly unspecific, multiple examinations are performed. These are certainly costly and do not necessarily provide precise and definite diagnoses. 1
Acknowledgements
We thank Mrs. Sylvie Favry, Corinne Blavot, Sylvie Fabick, and Colette Verdière for assistance in this work.
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Cited by (0)
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From the Department of Cardiology, H.I.A. Percy, Clamart, and Department of Cardiology, Faculté Libre de Médecine de Lille, Lomme.
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Reprint requests: Roland Carlioz, MD, Department of Cardiology, H.I.A. Percy, 101 Avenue Henri Barbusse, F 92141 Clamart Cedex, France.
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