Tilt-induced cardioinhibitory syncope: a follow-up study in 16 patients.

INTRODUCTION

The exact clinical and prognostic significance and the therapeutic implications of asystole induced by head-up tilt test are still a matter of debate.

METHODS

We assessed, by means of a semi-structured interview, the long-term outcome of cardioinhibitory syncope in all the patients who presented a tilt-induced sinus arrest of more than 3 s in our Autonomic Unit between 1996 and 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

Although syncopal recurrences were common, tilt-induced asystole did not imply a poor prognosis in terms of death or major therapeutic procedures.