Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
[Reproducibility of head-up tilt test in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope]
D Hachul1, E A Sosa, F Consolim
1Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas-FMUSP, São Paulo.
Insights
The head-up tilt test shows good reproducibility for diagnosing syncope, with 82% of patients having a positive second test. This suggests its reliability in clinical practice for evaluating recurrent unexplained falls.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Physiology
- Diagnostic Testing
Purpose:
In order to identify the reproducibility of head-up tilt test, a second test one week later in 22 patients with a positive first test, was performed.
Methods:
The test was performed in a fasting state during the morning. The heart rate and blood pressure were monitored during 20 minutes in the supine position and then at 60 degrees for up to 40 minutes. The test were considered positive if the patient experienced syncope or pre-syncope with fall in systolic blood pressure > 30mmHg. The following aspects were evaluated: reproducibility of the positive response; the type of response (hypotension, asystole or hypotension plus bradycardia) and the time interval between tilt and the beginning of symptoms.
Results:
Eighteen (82%) patients had a second positive response; 14 (77.8%) of then had the same type of response; and 17 (94%) had syncope in similar time interval after tilt.
Conclusion:
The head-up tilt testing has good reproducibility, although its use in the therapeutic management needs a longer period of evaluation.
