Holter monitoring for dizziness and syncope in old age

Among 509 patients referred to our Institute for Holter monitoring, between 1st September, 1982-30th October, 1983, 28 patients aged 65-90 (mean 76) were referred for dizziness and syncope. There were 17 men and 11 women. Seven patients had a M.I. in their past, 4 angina pectoris, 5 hypertension, 4 aortic stenosis or aortic insufficiency or both, hemodynamically significant, one had mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and one transient ischemic attacks (TIA). In our series 16 out of 28 patients received digoxin and antiarrhythmic drugs (quinidine, propranolol, procainamide, Neo-gilurythmal, amiodarone), 2 of them digoxin and quinidine in full doses and one digoxin and amiodarone. Other drugs administered to our patients included Aldomin, Isordil, Lasix, aminophylin, cromoglycate etc. In 10 patients (35.7%) we found complex ventricular arrhythmias (7 with M.I., 3 patients of 4 with significant aortic valve lesion, 2 patients of 2 with left anterior hemiblock (LAH), 1 patient with MVP, 1 patient with TIA). In another 5 patients (17.8%) we found atrial fibrillation, fast rhythm (2 with chronic obstructive lung disease, 2 with hypertension and 1 in post M.I.) which explained their symptomatology. From our data we conclude that the pluripathology found in old age as well as the multimedication administered, cause a plurietiology of syncope, arrhythmias playing an important role in its determination, in this particular age group.