Drug-related syncope

Clin Cardiol. 1989 Oct;12(10):577-80. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960121006.

Abstract

The records of 483 patients admitted to the emergency room because of syncope were reviewed. Forty-one patients were found to have drug-related syncope. Thirty-nine experienced syncope related to drugs administered for cardiovascular disease. The most frequently associated diseases were anginal syndrome (22 patients), hypertension (13 patients), and a history of myocardial infarction (6 patients). Thirty-eight patients experienced symptomatic orthostatic hypotension following drug taking (nitrates in 19 patients, beta blockers in 10 patients, nifedipine in 3 patients, prazosin and quinidine in 2 patients each, methyldopa and verapamil in 1 patient each). One patient developed complete heart block as a result of digoxin intoxication. Two patients developed the characteristic picture of anaphylactic reaction (1 with ampicillin, 1 with dipyrone). During one-year follow-up, without the offending medications, no further syncopal episodes were reported by these patients. We conclude that drug-related syncope was more common among our patients with syncope than had been reported previously. It is suggested that drug-related syncope should be taken into consideration in any patient with syncope who is treated by any of the above-mentioned drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiovascular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cardiovascular Agents / pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical History Taking
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Syncope / chemically induced*
  • Syncope / diagnosis
  • Syncope / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents