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Cited by 47Cardiovascular Syncope and Autonomic DisordersHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic ControlVestibular and auditory disorders

Prospective evaluation of non-pharmacological treatment in vasovagal syncope

Open access
Romme, J. J. C. M., Reitsma, J. B., Go-Schon, I. K., Harms, M. P. M., Ruiter, J. H., Luitse, J. S. K., Lenders, J. W. M., Wieling, W. +1 more·2010·Europace
DOI 10.1093/europace/eup414
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Abstract

AIMS: Initial treatment of vasovagal syncope (VVS) consists of assuring an adequate fluid and salt intake, regular exercise and application of physical counterpressure manoeuvres. We examined the effects of this non-pharmacological treatment in patients with frequent recurrences. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred patients with > or =3 episodes of VVS in the 2 years prior to the start of the study openly received non-pharmacological treatment. We evaluated this treatment both with respect to syncopal recurrences, factors associated with recurrence, and quality of life (QoL). The median number of syncopal recurrences was lower in the first year of non-pharmacological treatment compared with the last year before treatment (median 0 vs. 3; P < 0.001), but 49% of patients experienced at least one recurrence. In multivariable analysis, a higher syncope burden prior to inclusion was significantly associated with syncopal recurrence. Disease-specific QoL improved over time, with larger improvements for patients with more reduction in syncope burden. CONCLUSION: In patients with frequent recurrences of VVS, non-pharmacological treatment has a beneficial effect on both syncopal recurrence and QoL, but nearly half of these patients still experience episodes of syncope.

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Authors
Romme, J. J. C. M., Reitsma, J. B., Go-Schon, I. K., Harms, M. P. M., Ruiter, J. H., Luitse, J. S. K., Lenders, J. W. M., Wieling, W., & van Dijk, N.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
  • Medisch Centrum Alkmaar (NL)
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
ORCID
Venue
Europace
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2010-01-03
Volume
12
Issue
4
Pages
567-573
ISSN
  • 1099-5129 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2092
DOI
10.1093/europace/eup414
OpenAlex
W2100242667
Cited by
47
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
4.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • EP Europace (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cardiovascular Syncope and Autonomic Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vestibular and auditory disorders
Keywords
vasovagal syncope, non-pharmacological treatment, syncope recurrence, quality of life, physical activity, recurrence risk factors
MeSH terms
Adult, Biofeedback, Psychology, Blood Pressure, Female, Humans, Leg, Life Style, Male, Middle Aged, Posture, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life, Recurrence, Sodium, Dietary, Multivariate Analysis, Treatment Outcome, Disease-Free Survival, Syncope, Vasovagal, Young Adult

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