[Carotid sinus syncope: the vasodepressor component]

Carotis sinus syncope is one of the leading indications for pacemaker implantation in Hungary. Although the role of the vasodepressor component is emphasized in our current guidelines, documentation of the vasodepression in technically difficult and therefore often abandoned. A case of a patient is presented who received a VVI pacemaker in spite of documented mixed carotid sinus syncope. Subsequent to the pacemaker implantation, patient's condition deteriorated, characterized by frequent syncopal episods. Replacing the VVI pacemaker by a DDD device resulted in prompt relief of symptoms. The importance of invasive or noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in the diagnostic workup of these patients is emphasized.