ASSOCIATION OF AGE WITH HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSES TO THE HEAD-UP TILT TEST IN PATIENTS WITH VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE

Abstract

Objective: To access the end-result responses to the head-up tilt test in three different age groups explore the influence of age and gender on the head-up tilt test result in syncope patients.

Study Design: Cross sectional study design.

Place and Duration of Study: The data for this study was collected at Cardiac Electrophysiology department of AFIC/NIHD from Jan to Jun 2016.

Material and Methods: Two hundred and seventy one patients were enrolled, presenting with syncope to the cardiac electrophysiology department who undertook conventional head-up tilt table test. Head up tilt test (HUTT) was reported to be negative for patients who successfully completed both the procedure without onset of syncope or near-syncope. Whereas the test was terminated on development of syncope or near-syncope at any stage of the test and was labeled to be positive.

Results: Patients were categorized in three age groups including <20 years (group A), 21-60 years (group B) and >60 years (group C). Overall, 24 (88.8%) patients had a positive HUTT in group A, 137 (79.6%) patients in group B and 62 (86.6%) patients in group C (p-value 0.04). The rate of cardio inhibitory syncope was significantly more common in younger age groups while decreased after middle age (p-value 0.04), similarly rate of vasodepressive syncope was relatively higher in elderly age group as compared to younger age groups (p-value 0.03).

Conclusion: The age of syncope patient was associated with type of hemodynamic response to the head up tilt test.