Initial orthostatic hypotension as a cause of recurrent syncope: a case report

Clin Auton Res. 2001 Aug;11(4):269-70. doi: 10.1007/BF02298960.

Abstract

A 60-year-old male patient with recurrent unexplained syncope on standing was studied. During continuous, noninvasive blood pressure (BP) recording with a Finapres device, an abnormally large and symptomatic initial decrease in systemic BP was documented. After 2 minutes of standing, BP had recovered. The transient decrease in BP was attributed to the use of a combination of antidepressants known to interfere with sympathetic function. This case shows the importance of continuous, noninvasive BP measurement on standing: routine intermittent BP recording would have missed the abnormality. In patients using medications such as antidepressants, initial transient hypotension should be considered as the cause of falls and syncope.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Blood Pressure Determination
  • Depressive Disorder / complications
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / complications*
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Syncope / etiology*
  • Syncope / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents