Syncope: Difference between revisions

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==Orthostatic hypotension==
==Orthostatic hypotension==
===Diagnostic evaluation===
===Diagnostic evaluation===
Orthostatic hypotension is a sustained reduction of systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg within 3 min of standing or head-up tilt to at least 60 degree on a tilt table. Orthostatic hypotension is a clinical sign and may be symptomatic or asymptomatic.
Orthostatic hypotension can be divided into three variants depending on the time interval between rising from supine position to complaints of light-headedness and/or fainting.
 
Initial orthostatic hypotension is defined as a transient blood pressure decrease (>40 mmHg systolic blood pressure (BP) and/or >20 mmHg diastolic BP) within 15 seconds of standing. It can only be present during active standing, because the initial drop in BP is not seen during head-up-tilt test in which both BP and heart rate (HR) gradually increases until stabilization is reached. Because of the rapid initial changes, it can only be detected by continuous beat-to-beat BP measuring of finger arterial.
 
Classical orthostatic hypotension is defined as a sustained reduction of systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg within 3 min of standing or head-up tilt to at least 60 degree on a tilt table. Because the fall of BP is dependent on the baseline BP, a reduction in systolic BP of 30 mmHg may be a more appropriate criterion for OH in patients with supine hypertension. Orthostatic hypotension is a clinical sign and may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and can be a result of primary or secondary autonomic failure. Classical orthostatic hypotension can be detected during bedside evaluation with an active lying-to-standing test using the manual cuff.
 
Delayed orthostatic hypotension is a sustained reduction of systolic BP beyond 3 minutes of standing. These delayed falls in BP may be a mild or early form of sympathetic adrenergic failure. It can be detected with an extended lying-to-standing test or during head-up-tilt test.


===Treatment===
===Treatment===
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