Efficacy of orthostatic self-training in medically refractory neurocardiogenic syncope

Orthostatic self-training is effective in the prevention of neurocardiogenic syncope, though the success of this method in drug refractory patients has not been reported. STUDY OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This study examined the effectiveness of orthostatic self-training in 15 patients with head-up tilt testing (HUT)-inducible neurocardiogenic syncope, who were intolerant of, or refractory to standard drug therapy. They were enrolled in a home orthostatic self-training program for up to 30 min/session, twice daily. Head-up tilt testing was repeated within 4 weeks after onset of the training program, using the same protocol as at baseline. Orthostatic self-training was continued once daily, for up to 30 min, for a mean follow-up period of 11 months, in the drug-free state.

Syncope was not reinducible by follow-up HUT, and spontaneous syncope occurred in no patient during the follow-up period.

Home orthostatic self-training, up to 30 min once daily following an initial twice daily program, was highly effective in the suppression of recurrent neurocardiogenic syncope in patients intolerant of, or refractory to standard drug therapy.