The Use of Head-Upright Tilt Table Testing in the Evaluation and Management of Syncope in Children and Adolescents

Recurrent syncope in an otherwise healthy child or adolescent is a common anxiety provoking disorder. Vasovagally mediated hypotension and bradycardia are believed common, yet difficult to diagnose, causes of syncope in this age group. Upright tilt table testing has been suggested as a potential method to test for vasovagal episodes. This study evaluated the utility of this technique in the evaluation and management of recurrent syncope in children and adolescents. Thirty patients with recurrent unexplained syncope were evaluated by use of an upright tilt table test for 30 minutes, with or without an infusion of isoproterenol (1 to 3 micrograms/min given intravenously), in an attempt to produce hypotension, bradycardia, or both. There were 15 males and 15 females, mean age 14 +/- 6 years. Each of the tilt positive patients received therapy with either fluorohydrocortisone, beta blockers, or transdermal scopolamine. Syncope occurred in six patients (20%) during the base line tilt and in 15 patients (50%) during isoproterenol infusion (total positives 70%). All initially positive patients were rendered tilt negative by therapy. Over a mean follow-up period of 20 months, no further episodes have occurred. We conclude that tilt table testing is a useful and effective test in the evaluation of unexplained syncope in childhood.