Document Detail


Preliminary observations on the effect of amitriptyline treatment in preventing syncope recurrence in patients with vasovagel syncope.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17593184     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE: Vasovagal syncope is a common and challenging problem that may result in injury and causes substantial 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.
Authors:
Ergün Bariş Kaya; Gülcan Abali; Kudret Aytemir; Sedat Köse; Uğur Kocabaş; Lale Tokgözoğlu; Giray Kabakçi; Basri Amasyali; Hilmi Ozkutlu; Nasih Nazli; Ali Oto
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of noninvasive electrocardiology : the official journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc     Volume:  12     ISSN:  1082-720X     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol     Publication Date:  2007 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-06-26     Completed Date:  2007-07-31     Revised Date:  2008-03-10    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9607443     Medline TA:  Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  153-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. doctorkaya@yahoo.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Administration, Oral
Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage,  therapeutic use*
Adult
Amitriptyline / administration & dosage,  therapeutic use*
Female
Humans
Male
Recurrence / prevention & control
Syncope, Vasovagal / prevention & control*
Tilt-Table Test
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; 50-48-6/Amitriptyline

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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