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Management of vasovagal syncope
Brennan A Ballantyne1, Sevan Letourneau-Shesaf1, Satish R Raj2
1Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|November 11, 2021
Summary
Vasovagal syncope (VVS), a common cause of fainting, is treatable with lifestyle changes like increased salt and water intake, compression garments, and physical maneuvers. Medications and procedures offer options for persistent cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a frequent cause of fainting, necessitating effective management strategies.
- Patient education on VVS mechanisms and its non-lethal nature is the primary treatment step.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence for non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for VVS.
- To discuss emerging therapies for managing vasovagal syncope.
Main Methods:
- Review of non-pharmacological treatments including dietary modifications, compression garments, physical counter-maneuvers, and tilt-training.
- Evaluation of pharmacological interventions and procedural options for refractory VVS cases.
Main Results:
- Non-pharmacological approaches form the cornerstone of VVS treatment.
- Pharmacological treatments show promise in placebo-controlled trials for some patients.
- Procedural options exist for select patients refractory to other treatments.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive management of VVS involves a stepwise approach, starting with conservative measures.
- Evidence supports the efficacy of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for VVS.
- Novel therapies are emerging for improved VVS management.
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