| Abstrakt: |
Aim of this investigation was to study special characteristics of natural course of vasovagal syncope (VVS). During 3 years we examined 212 patients (44% men) in accordance with recommendations of European Society of Cardiology using tilt tests according to Westminster or Italian protocols for confirmation of vasovagal genesis. Depending on results of initial investigation patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 comprised 144 patients (68%) satisfying criteria of VVS; group 2 comprised other patients (n=41, 19%) with transitory loss of consciousness of unclear origin. Patients with VVS were significantly younger (mean age 35.1+/-13.6 and 44.4+/-13.,9 years, respectively; <0.01) with earlier appearance of first episode of fainting (16 vs. 39 years; <0,01). In most cases VVS appeared in the age younger than 35 years. Accuracy of anamnestic method for diagnosis of VVS was 99%. Forty one percent of patients with classical VVS had several potential causes of fainting (situational syncope, paroxysms of tachyarrhythmia, epilepcy). This could lead to mistakes at initial stage of diagnostics. Progressive clinical course was observed in 15% of patients and was associated either with syncopi of other, including nonvagal origin, or with increased frequency of previously stereotypical attacks. In every second patient with initially frequent recurrences of VVS we observed long spontaneous remissions. Nondrug methods of treatment were effective in 43% of these patients. Tilt test had high informative power for diagnostics of VVS. With this its informativity was low in patients with onset of fainting attacks in middle age and with atypical clinical picture. |
