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Updated: May 19, 2026

Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
14:09

Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance

Published on: March 21, 2013

[Orthostatic hypotension: which initial cardiovascular and biological explorations? Which therapeutic solutions? The

Claude Kouakam1, Pascal Delsart

  • 1CHRU de Lille, hôpital cardiologique, pôle de cardiologie et maladies vasculaires, 59037 Lille cedex, France. claude.kouakam@chru-lille.fr

Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|August 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Orthostatic hypotension (OHT) is a common condition, especially in older adults, linked to falls and serious health risks. Diagnosis involves simple tests, with advanced options for complex cases, guiding non-drug treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Geriatrics

Context:

  • Orthostatic hypotension (OHT) affects 1% of the population, increasing with age.
  • It is associated with falls, syncope, cognitive decline, and cerebrovascular events.

Purpose:

  • To outline diagnostic approaches for orthostatic hypotension.
  • To guide therapeutic strategies based on identified causes and functional impairment.

Summary:

  • OHT diagnosis often relies on clinical examination and simple tests.
  • Advanced investigations like head-up tilt tests, Valsalva maneuvers, cardiac MIBG scintigraphy, and urinary catecholamines aid in identifying baroreflex arc or autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
  • Treatment prioritizes non-pharmacological interventions.

Impact:

  • Improved diagnostic accuracy for OHT.
  • Personalized treatment plans for OHT patients.
  • Reduced morbidity and mortality associated with OHT.

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