Physical counter-pressure manoeuvres in preventing syncopal recurrence in patients older than 40 years with recurrent neurally mediated syncope: a controlled study from the Third International Study on Syncope of Uncertain Etiology (ISSUE-3)†

Abstract

Aims: Physical counter-pressure manoeuvres (PCM) are effective in young patients with vasovagal syncope and recognizable prodromal symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate their effectiveness in patients ≥40 years with severe neurally mediated syncope (NMS) enroled in the Third International Study on Syncope of Uncertain Etiology (ISSUE-3).

Methods and results: In the ISSUE-3 study, 63 out of 162 patients had a diagnosis of hypotensive NMS (Types 2, 3, and 4A) documented by implantable loop recorder; of these, 40 were instructed to perform isometric leg and arm PCM therapy. Their mean age was 62 ± 13 years; 47% of patients had a history of some episodes without prodrome. A group of 45 untreated patients acted as controls. The primary endpoint was the time to first syncope recurrence. During follow-up, syncope recurred in 15 PCM patients (37%) and in 24 control patients (53%) (P = 0.14). At 21 months, the modelled syncope recurrence rates were 42% [95% confidence interval (CI): 27-61] and 64% (95% CI: 48-80), respectively (P = 0.27).

Conclusion: In conclusion, many ISSUE-3 patients affected by hypotensive NMS have syncopal recurrence despite PCM. Older age and the absence of sufficiently long recognizable prodromal symptoms in the ISSUE-3 population might have hampered the effectiveness of PC therapy.

Keywords: Neurally mediated syncope; Old patients; Physical counter-pressure manoeuvres.