Open AccessPreliminary Observations on the Effect of Amitriptyline Treatment in Preventing Syncope Recurrence in Patients with Vasovagel Syncope
Author(s) -
Barış Kaya Ergün,
Abalı Gülcan,
Aytemir Kudret,
Köse Sedat,
Kocabaş Uğur,
Tokgözoğlu Lale,
Kabakçı Giray,
Amasyalı Basri,
Özkutlu Hilmi,
Nazlı Nasıh,
Oto Ali
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of noninvasive electrocardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.494
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1542-474X
pISSN - 1082-720X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1542-474x.2007.00154.x
Subject(s) - presyncope , medicine , vasovagal syncope , syncope (phonology) , amitriptyline , anesthesia , tilt table test , tricyclic antidepressant , heart rate , blood pressure , antidepressant , hippocampus
Purpose: Vasovagal syncope is a common and challenging problem that may result in injury and causes susbstantial anxiety among patients and their relatives. However, treatment of vasovagal syncope with standard pharmacologic approaches is not satisfactory. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant drug, by using its anticholinergic effects in preventing syncopal episodes in patients with vasovagal syncope. Methods: In this study, 74 patients (mean age 24 ± 1.9 years, 26 male) with a history of recurrent syncope and baseline positive head‐up tilt table test (syncope or presyncope) were included. Oral amitriptyline treatment was given to all patients, with a starting dose of 10 mg once a day. Head‐up tilt table test was performed in all patients 4 weeks after the treatment started. Patients were followed up clinically for 6 months. Results: After 4 weeks, during head‐up tilt table test in 69 patients (93%), syncope or presyncope was not seen and test was assumed as negative. At the end of the 6th month, 67 patients (91%) were free of symptoms. Only two patients (0.3%) did not tolerate amitriptyline due to side effects. Conclusions: Oral amitriptyline can be used in the prevention of recurrent episodes of vasovagal syncope safely. However, randomized controlled studies are essential to assess the real effectiveness of this therapy.