Pacemaker therapy for prevention of syncope in patients with recurrent severe vasovagal syncope: Second Vasovagal Pacemaker Study (VPS II): a randomized trial

CONTEXT: Three previous small randomized trials have reported that pacemaker therapy is beneficial for patients with severe recurrent vasovagal syncope. However, because these trials were not double blind, they may have been biased in their assessment of outcomes and had a placebo effect of surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine if pacing therapy reduces the risk of syncope in patients with vasovagal syncope. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A randomized double-blind trial of pacemaker therapy in outpatients referred to syncope specialists at 15 centers from September 1998 to April 2002. In the year prior to randomization, patients had had a median of 4 episodes of syncope. Patients were followed up for up to 6 months. INTERVENTION: After implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker, 100 patients were randomly assigned to receive dual-chamber pacing (DDD) with rate drop response or to have only sensing without pacing (ODO). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Time to first recurrence of syncope. RESULTS: No patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 52 patients randomized to ODO, 22 (42%) had recurrent syncope within 6 months compared with 16 (33%) of 48 patients in the DDD group. The cumulative risk of syncope at 6 months was 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25%-52%) for the ODO group and 31% (95% CI, 17%-43%) for the DDD group. The relative risk reduction in time to syncope with DDD pacing was 30% (95% CI, -33% to 63%; 1-sided P =.14). Lead dislodgement or repositioning occurred in 7 patients. One patient had vein thrombosis, another had pericardial tamponade leading to removal of the pacemaker system, and a third had infection involving the pacemaker generator. CONCLUSIONS: In this double-blind randomized trial, pacing therapy did not reduce the risk of recurrent syncope in patients with vasovagal syncope. Because of the weak evidence of efficacy of pacemaker therapy and the risk of complications, pacemaker therapy should not be recommended as first-line therapy for patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope.     

Randomized comparison of metoprolol versus conventional treatment in preventing recurrence of vasovagal syncope in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies that have assessed the effects of beta blockers on preventing vasovagal syncope provide conflicting results. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of metoprolol versus conventional treatment in preventing the recurrence of syncope in children and adolescents. MATERIAL/METHODS: Twenty-eight children and adolescents (8 boys, 20 girls; mean age, 12+/-3 years; age range, 8-17 years) with vasovagal syncope were randomized to receive either metoprolol (metoprolol group; dosage range, 0.5-1.5 mg/kg/d) or conventional treatment (control group) for 1 year. The main outcome measure was the first recurrence of syncope beginning 2 weeks after the start of treatment. The mean follow-up was 22+/-10 months. Time to first recurrence of syncope was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with a log-rank test. RESULTS: The 2 groups did not differ in terms of clinical characteristics. The number of syncopal episodes before tilt testing was 8+/-6 in patients in the metoprolol group and 9+/-6 in patients in the control group (P=0.150). Syncope recurred in 6 of 14 children in the metoprolol group and in 4 of 14 children in the control group. No significant between-group differences were found regarding the probability of freedom from a recurrent episode of syncope during follow-up (metoprolol vs controls, 43% vs 29%; P=0.389), as demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier curve analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of vasovagal syncope in children and adolescents treated with metoprolol is similar to that of patients treated with conventional therapy.     

Permanent cardiac pacing in elderly patients with recurrent falls, dizziness and syncope, and a hypersensitive cardioinhibitory reflex.

The study was designed to assess the outcome of treatment with permanent dual-chamber pacing of elderly patients with falls, dizziness and syncope associated with the demonstration of a hypersensitive cardioinhibitory reflex. Questionnaires were sent to patients (and their general practitioners) who had been referred to a regional pacing centre with recurrent falls, dizziness or syncope diagnosed as likely to be secondary to cardioinhibitory carotid sinus syndrome or predominantly cardioinhibitory vasovagal syndrome. After pacemaker insertion, 84% of patients had no further syncope over a mean follow-up period of 10 (range 1.5 to 30) months. Minor symptoms persisted in only 40% of all patients. Symptoms were unchanged in 22%. It was concluded that permanent dual-chamber pacing is an effective treatment for elderly patients with recurrent falls, dizziness and syncope in whom a hypersensitive cardioinhibitory reflex is found. Good results were obtained in this group with a simple diagnostic work-up.     

老年人埋藏永久起搏器的经验

报告29例(53次)缓慢心律失常的老年人(≥60岁)经静脉埋藏永久起搏器的结果,就埋藏永久起搏器患者缓慢心律失常类型,病因,适应证,随访等方面进行分析,并着重了解老年患者某些特点     

Highly selective vagotomy and duodenal ulcers that fail to respond to H2 receptor antagonists

A study was conducted to see whether patients with duodenal ulcers that failed to heal in response to H2 receptor antagonists had a higher incidence of recurrent ulceration after highly selective vagotomy than patients whose ulcers healed with these drugs. Between 1977 and 1983, 157 patients had a highly selective vagotomy for uncomplicated duodenal ulcer; in 57 patients the ulcer had failed to heal despite treatment with H2 receptor antagonists (refractory group), 19 patients had developed recurrent ulceration while receiving maintenance treatment, 67 patients had remained healed while taking H2 receptor antagonists but suffered frequent relapses when treatment was stopped, and 14 patients had not been given these drugs before operation. The overall incidence of recurrent ulceration was 6% after two years and 11% after five years of follow up. In the refractory group, however, the incidence of recurrent ulceration was 18% at two years and 34% after five years, whereas the incidence of recurrence was only 1.5% at two years and 3% after five years in patients whose ulcers had healed with H2 receptor antagonists. Resistance to H2 receptor antagonists was not related to preoperative basal or peak acid output but was related to cigarette smoking. Factors associated with recurrent ulceration after highly selective vagotomy were basal acid outputs before and after operation, cigarette smoking, and the surgeon who performed the operation. Duodenal ulcers that fail to respond to H2 receptor antagonists represent a more severe ulcer diathesis, for which highly selective vagotomy is less effective.     

倾斜试验对原因不明晕厥诊断的探讨

对连续就诊的２７例原因不明晕厥患者进行倾斜试验（ＨＵＴ），阳性者４例，阳性率为４／２７；阴性的２３例中有１６例加做异丙肾上腺素（ＩＳＯ）倾斜试验，阳性者１０例，阳性率为１０／１６；７例因不能耐受未能完成全程ＩＳＯ倾斜试验。基础倾斜试验及ＩＳＯ倾斜试验阳性者共１４例。试验表明，基础倾斜试验直立倾斜时间不宜短于４５ｍｉｎ，观察ＨＵＴ诱发晕厥前有否心动过速有助于药物选择。     

Role of carotid sinus syndrome and neurocardiogenic syncope in recurrent syncope and falls in patients referred to an outpatient clinic in a district general hospital

Carotid sinus syndrome (CSS) and neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) are recognised as important causes of recurrent syncope and falls in the elderly. In this study the role of CSS (diagnosed with carotid sinus massage) and NCS (diagnosed with prolonged head-up tilt) in a district general hospital were investigated. Over 27 consecutive months carotid sinus massage was performed in 139 patients. Of these 29 (20.8%) patients (mean (SD) age of 78 (9) years) showed a positive response. Of these 18 (62%) patients showed a positive response only when carotid sinus massage was performed with 70( degrees ) head-up tilt. Thirteen (8.7%) of the 149 patients who had prolonged head-up tilt testing were found to have NCS. The mean (SD) age for patients with NCS was 59 (26) years and the mean (SD) time required to produce a positive response during prolonged head-up tilt was 12 (5) minutes. It is concluded that carotid sinus massage and head-up tilt testing are useful in patients presenting with unexplained syncope and falls in a district general hospital setting. Carotid sinus massage should be repeated upon head-up tilt if a negative response is obtained in the supine position.     

Micturition syncope. A reappraisal

We prospectively studied 33 patients with micturition syncope. Of these, eight were young (mean age, 25 years), healthy individuals whose diagnostic evaluation gave normal findings. The remaining 25 patients were older (mean age, 60 years), and 16 were women. This group had an average of 3.8 acute and chronic illnesses per patient, and was taking 3.5 medications per patient. Physical examination disclosed orthostatic hypotension in 22 of these 25 patients. Therapy was directed at improving orthostasis. Over a mean of 15.3 months, no recurrent micturition syncope or sudden death occurred in the entire group. We conclude that there are two groups of patients with micturition syncope. A group consisting of young healthy men has been well described previously. Our larger group, however, consisted of older patients, more often women with multiple illnesses and the majority having orthostatic hypotension.     

膀胱癌患者行保留膀胱手术后复发的危险因素分析

 目的  分析膀胱癌患者行保留膀胱手术后复发的发生率及其危险因素。方法  回顾性分析2003年1月至2010年6月在我院行保留膀胱手术治疗(膀胱部分切除或经尿道肿瘤切除)的452例初发膀胱癌患者的临床资料。男性341例,女性111例,年龄(62.6±15.8)岁。所有患者均为初发膀胱肿瘤,术后病理证实为膀胱尿路上皮癌。所有患者随访2年,收集患者的一般资料(年龄、性别、吸烟史等)、肿瘤学特征(肿瘤数目、分期、分级)、术后治疗方案和术后复发频度。按2年内复发的频度分为无复发组(NR)、低复发组(LR,2年内复发1次)和高复发组(HR,2年内复发2次及以上),比较各组临床特征的差异。对2年内有复发的低级别肿瘤患者按照复发后肿瘤分级是否改变分组,又分为无进展组(2年内肿瘤分级未增高)和进展组(2年内肿瘤分级增高),比较两组临床特征的差异。结果  452例患者2年内肿瘤复发204例(45.1%),其中127例为低复发组,77例为高复发组。而其余248例为无复发组。3组患者在吸烟、肿瘤分级、肿瘤分期、肿瘤数目、接受规范膀胱灌注化疗和接受干扰素治疗比例等方面的差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.001);而在年龄、性别、术后全身化疗、放疗和BCG治疗比例等方面的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。复发的低级别肿瘤共110例,其中无进展组79例,进展组31例。两组患者在吸烟和肿瘤分期等方面的差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.001);在年龄、性别、肿瘤数目和术后是否规范的膀胱灌注化疗的比例等方面的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论  术前吸烟史、肿瘤分级、分期、肿瘤多发和未接受规范膀胱灌注化疗是膀胱癌患者术后复发的危险因素。初发肿瘤分期较高和术后继续吸烟的患者在复发时肿瘤分级增高的危险性增加。术后戒烟对减少术后复发有益。     

Differences in heart rate variability between cardioinhibitory and vasodepressor responses to head-up tilt table testing.

BACKGROUND: Patients with syncope show different responses to head-up tilt (HUT) test, which may be due to different pathophysiological mechanisms. METHODS: HUT (70 degrees) was performed in 24 patients who experienced recurrent syncope. Nine patients had a cardioinhibitory (CI) response, 7 patients had a vasodepressor (VD) response, and 8 patients had a mixed (MX) response. Heart rate variability was analyzed at 60-sec periods during HUT. RESULTS: Total spectrum (TS) was greater at rest and 1 min after syncope in the CI and MX groups as compared to the VD group. Low frequency spectrum (LF) was significantly greater during rest and the first minute after syncope in the CI groups as compared with the VD group. After the rest period, the CI and MX groups showed more elevated high frequency spectrum (HF) values than the VD group (p < 0.01). One minute after syncope, the HF increased in the CI and MX groups but not in the VD group (p < 0.01). The VD group showed higher LF/HF ratio from the beginning of rest (3.9 +/- 4.1) as compared to the CI and MX groups (p < 0.01). This difference was most significant 2 min before syncope occurred. The CI and MX groups showed greater pNN50 and rMSSD as compared to the VD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that vagal tone is higher in subjects showing cardioinhibitory and mixed responses to HUT. In contrast, patients with a vasodepressor response showed predominantly sympathetic activity. These findings suggest that there are different pathophysiological mechanisms underlying syncope.     

宫腔镜治疗复发性子宫内膜息肉2年随访疗效分析

目的探讨宫腔镜治疗复发性子宫内膜息肉的临床疗效以及2年随访复发情况。方法将我院收治的200例复发性子宫内膜息肉患者随机分为实验组以及对照组。实验组患者采用宫腔镜子宫内膜息肉电切术进行治疗,对照组患者采用腔镜定位单纯刮宫术治疗。对两组患者月经量、手术情况以及术后2年复发、不孕症患者妊娠情况进行分析。结果两组患者手术时间、出血量以及住院天数比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。两组患者在接受治疗前月经量比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,而在接受治疗后,实验组患者月经量明显少于对照组（P〈0．05）。实验组患者2年复发率明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）,且实验组不孕症患者治疗后2年内妊娠率高于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论对复发性子宫内膜息肉患者采用宫腔镜子宫内膜息肉电切术治疗可降低其复发率,提高疗效。     

肥厚型心肌病患者心律失常与猝死的关系

目的分析85例肥厚型心肌病(HCM)患者心电图、长程心电图及临床资料,探讨HCM患者心律失常发生情况及其与猝死及晕厥的关系。方法收集85例确诊的HCM患者临床资料、心电图、长程心电图记录,分析快速型及缓慢型心律失常的发生情况及其与晕厥和猝死的关系,同时结合超声心动图资料,分析心律失常与心肌结构的关系。结果85例HCM中有心律失常者74例,占87％(包括快速型心律失常30例,发生率为35．3％;缓慢性型心律失常21例,发生率为24．7％);有晕厥史的24例患者中,室内传导阻滞、快速心律失常及缓慢型心律失常的发生率较无晕厥史患者中的发生率高,并有明显统计学差异,且以室间隔中下部及心尖部肥厚的发生率为高;此外,缓慢型心律失常与快速型心律失常患者相比室间隔中下部及心尖部肥厚的发生率较高。结论肥厚型心肌病发生晕厥、猝死的原因不仅仅是由于快速型心律失常,缓慢型心律失常也是其重要原因之一,且在有晕厥史或缓慢性心律失常者以室间隔中下部及心尖部肥厚者多见。     

Surgical management of perforated duodenal ulcer: the changing scene

To determine the management of perforated duodenal ulcer at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in this era of Helicobacter pylori, the medical records of all patients seen at the UHWI during the period July 1997 to June 2002 with an intra-operative diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer were reviewed The records were analyzed for the following: age, gender, duration of symptoms, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, smoking status, operative repair duration of hospitalization, Helicobacter pylori status and medical therapy, peri-operative complications, mortality and recurrence. Ninety per cent of the cases were males. All females in whom perforation occurred were age 50 years and older compared to males where 58% of cases presented before age 50 years. Perforations in acute ulcers occurred in 80% of cases. The majority of patients were male smokers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was also an important risk factor in elderly females. Simple surgical closure and standard triple therapy antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori was the most common treatment offered. Mortality was one per cent and follow-up poor but 11% of patients had documented recurrent peptic ulceration. In this study population, perforated duodenal ulcer occured overwhelmingly in males less than 50 years of age. There is a trend towards exclusive simple surgical closure and H pylori eradication at the UHWI for patients with perforated duodenal ulcer but this needs to be supported by documentation of H pylori prevalence in the population of patients presenting with perforated peptic ulcers.     

Implantable loop recorder in unexplained palpitations or syncope: A randomised study among young patients with structurally normal heart

BackgroundThe utility of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in the evaluation of unexplained syncope or palpitations in young patients in the absence of structural heart disease or ventricular dysfunction is limited. To compare the diagnostic yield of ILR with conventional extended Holter evaluation in the detection of arrhythmias among young patients with a structurally normal heart presenting with unexplained palpitations or syncope.MethodsOpen-label randomised control trial was conducted in a tertiary cardiac care centre among young patients with recurrent unexplained palpitations (≥3 episodes/year) or syncope (≥2 episodes) with normal electrocardiogram and echocardiography, after excluding non-cardiac causes. Patients were block randomised to either ILR implantation or conventional extended Holter monitoring.ResultsFourteen patients in the ILR group and 16 patients in the conventional group completed the study. The mean age of the patients was 31.9 ± 5.5 and 31.2 ± 5.4 years. Males constituted 78.5% and 75% in the two groups, respectively. Diagnosis was established in 10 (71.5%) patients in the ILR group as compared to only 3 (18.7%) in the conventional group (p = 0.01), with an RR of 0.26 (95% CI 0.089–0.76, p = 0.01). The arrhythmias diagnosed with ILR were narrow complex tachycardia (30%), atrial fibrillation (20%), VPCs (20%), severe bradycardia with asystole due to sinus arrest (10%), VPCs with bigeminy (10%), and ventricular tachycardia (10%).ConclusionIn young patients with unexplained syncope or palpitations, ILR has a higher diagnostic yield in the accurate detection of arrhythmia compared with conventional Holter strategy, resulting in better management.     

儿童不明原因晕厥诊断的多中心研究

目的 探讨直立倾斜试验(HUTT)对儿童不明原因晕厥的诊断价值.方法 晕厥组为2002年1月至2008年4月在北京、湖南、湖北、上海四地晕厥门诊就诊或住院的379例不明原因晕厥患儿,其中男171例,女208例;年龄3～18岁,平均(12±3)岁.所有患儿通过常规检查仍不能明确患儿晕厥的原因时,进行基础直立倾斜试验(BHUTT)或舌下含化硝酸甘油激发的倾斜试验(SNHUTT)检查.对照组为10名身体健康、无晕厥及晕厥先兆病史的正常儿童,其中男5名,女5名;年龄9～15岁,平均(11.4±2.1)岁,其心血管、神经系统、心电图、超声心动图及X线胸片检查均正常;所有正常儿童均进行BHUTT或SNHUTT.结果 在379例患儿中,286例患儿为自主神经介导性晕厥(75.5%).晕厥患儿中67例为体位性心动过速综合征(17.7%);157例为血管迷走性晕厥血管抑制型(41.4%);14例为血管迷走性晕厥心脏抑制型(3.7%);47例为血管迷走性晕厥混合型(12.4%);1例患儿为直立性低血压(0.3%);93例患儿仍为不明原因晕厥(24.5%).在晕厥组和对照组中,BHUTr的诊断阳性率分别为55.9%和0,SNHUTT的诊断阳性率分别为75.5%和20.0%.BHUTT阳性患者在BHUTT过程中出现阳性反应的时间平均为(16±12)min,阳性反应出现时的体位均为倾斜60°体位;SNHUTT阳性患儿在SNHUTT过程中出现阳性反应的时间平均为(6±4)min,阳性反应出现时的体位均为倾斜60°体位并舌下含化硝酸甘油.结论 应用HUTT可较好地、客观地对儿童自主神经介导性晕厥进行诊断,SNHUTT具有较高的诊断阳性率,明显提高了BHUTT的诊断阳性率,且阳性反应时间明显低于BHUTT.     

Indications for pacing in the treatment of bradyarrhythmias. Report of an independent study group

Indications for permanent pacing in the bradyarrhythmias are summarized. In the absence of symptoms, pacing is justified only when Mobitz type II block or complete atrioventricular (AV) block is localized in the bundle-branch system. All other abnormalities of impulse generation or conduction (incomplete AV block of any type, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response, or sinus node dysfunction) must be shown to be stable and intrinsic and to cause CNS symptoms or hemodynamic compromise to justify pacing. Isolated intra-Hisian abnormality without failure of AV conduction is benign. Measurement of HV interval does not contribute significant information. Correlation of carotid sinus sensitivity with carotid sinus syncope is poor (5%). Bradyarrhythmia produced by minimal effective doses of an essential drug is a rare indication for pacing and requires special documentation. Inadequate indications, sources of error, and misconceptions are discussed. Generally, it is important to exclude drug effect, transient clinical states, and correctable systemic disease as causes of the abnormality before making a conclusion about pacing.     

男性脑卒中患者复发的风险因素分析

目的 调查男性脑卒中患者复发的相关风险,为有效二级预防及针对性共患病控制提供临床参考.方法 通过查阅已有病例及定期会诊或随访,采用x2检验和t检验统计分析所有男性脑卒中患者出院后1年的复发情况调查,患者被分类为复发组和未复发组.结果 225例男性脑卒中患者（平均年龄68.31±24.04岁）中,总复发率为11.56％（26/225,平均年龄74.83±21.54岁）,明显高于男性对照组的0.24％（11/4651,平均年龄69.56±19.32岁）.脑卒中的复发率随年龄和BMI的增长而增加（P ＜0.001）.Logistic回归模型多因素分析中,老年、身高、BMI、糖尿病、高血压、血脂异常、冠心病和心房颤动等对脑卒中复发率有显著影响（P ＜0.001）.结论 在开展一定的二级预防措施下,男性脑卒中患者仍有较高的复发风险.大力开展二级预防及严格控制相关并发症对于预防男性脑卒中复发有重要意义.     

Fetal heart rate response to maternal exertion

Doppler monitoring of fetal heart rates during maternal exertion has suggested that fetal bradycardia occurs frequently during vigorous exercise, causing concern for fetal safety. Doppler determination of fetal heart rate during vigorous maternal effort is difficult. To avoid motion artifact, we observed fetal heart rate using two-dimensional ultrasound and determined the incidence of fetal bradycardia in 45 pregnant women (age, 29.0 +/- 3.7 years [mean +/- SD]; gestational age, 25.2 +/- 3.0 weeks) during 85 submaximal and 79 maximal cycle ergometer tests. Average fetal heart rate did not change during exercise. A single episode of fetal bradycardia (heart rate less than 110 beats per minute for greater than or equal to 10 s) occurred during submaximal exertion during a maternal vasovagal episode. Sixteen episodes of fetal bradycardia were noted within three minutes after cessation of exercise, 15 of which followed maximal maternal effort. We conclude that brief submaximal maternal exercise up to approximately 70% of maximal aerobic power (maternal heart rate less than or equal to 148 beats per minute) does not affect fetal heart rate. In contrast to submaximal maternal exertion, maximal exertion is commonly followed by fetal bradycardia. This may indicate inadequate fetal gas exchange.     

New diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of the patient with syncope

Syncope is a common clinical problem. Patients with cardiac syncope have a poor prognosis and a high incidence of sudden death during follow-up. The most common diagnosis in these patients is ventricular tachycardia in the setting of coronary artery disease. Patients with syncope and structural heart disease should undergo EP testing to exclude ventricular tachycardia. The use of SAE may be helpful in selecting patients who are likely to have ventricular tachycardia at EP testing. Patients with syncope and a normal heart have an excellent survival, but about 30 percent have recurrent spells. Those patients with a normal heart and syncope in the upright position often have neurally mediated syncope, and the diagnosis can be confirmed by tilt testing. Patients defying diagnosis should undergo loop monitoring to document the cardiac rhythm during syncope.     

阿托品试验对术中使用心脏起搏治疗预测价值的临床研究

研究阿托品试验对预测手术过程中需行心脏起搏治疗的临床价值。方法:窦性心动过缓并需手术治疗的患者,术前行阿托品试验,并在麻醉前后和关腹前测窦房结恢复时间(SNRT)、校正窦房结恢复时间(cSNRT)、窦房传导时间(SACT),观察术中最慢心率及使用心脏起搏治疗情况。结果:阿托品试验最快心率(HR_(max))≤80bpm组术中应用心脏起搏者较HR_(max)>80bpm组明显增多,术中最慢心率(HR_(min))明显减低(均P<0.01);术前SNRT≥2000ms组术中应用心脏起搏者较SNRT<1500ms组增多(P<0.05);连硬外组术中应用心脏起搏者较全麻组多(P<0.01)。阿托品试验HR_(max)与关腹前SNRT呈负相关(P<0.05);术中HR_(min)与麻醉前后及关腹前SNRT呈负相关(分别P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论:阿托品试验HR_(max)≤80bpm,必须做术中心脏起搏治疗准备,麻醉方式首选全麻。对80bpm相似文献