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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
[Use of tilt test in the investigation of syncope]
T A Aksnes1, K Nodenes, K Gjesdal
1Arytmiseksjonen Hjerte og lungesenteret, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
Introduction:
In evaluating syncope, a 45-60 minutes head-up tilt test at 60 degrees with or without pharmacological stimulation is often used.
Material And Methods:
We report our experience with a faster, ten minute tilt test at 80 degrees with retilting during isoprenaline infusion, on 15 healthy volunteers and 27 patients who subsequently were followed up during a period of 1-3 1/2 years.
Results:
One volunteer had a positive response (presyncope), while seven of the 27 patients reproduced their clinical symptoms. Among the 20 patients with normal test responses, the clinical course revealed the diagnosis in 11. For the remaining nine patients a definite diagnosis has not been made, but they have not experienced further syncopal episodes.
Interpretation:
This study demonstrates that the abbreviated tilt test is useful for evaluating recurrent vasovagal and orthostatic syncope.
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