Syncope and carotid artery stenosis.

The carotid sinus plays an important role in systemic blood pressure regulation. The baroreceptor mechanism that underlies this physiological process is affected by underlying disease processes and therapeutic procedures. Stenosis of the carotid artery is seldom implicated in causation of syncope. Syncope caused by pathology at the carotid sinus and iatrogenically during interventional procedures is more frequently seen. The consequences of carotid stenosis and carotid hypersensitivity leading to cerebral hypoperfusion with syncope are described, along with recommendations related to screening in these patients.