Patients with reflex syncope have a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation than general population which is predicted by the type of the tilt table test response

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Reflex syncope is the result of an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system has been associated to some forms of atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of AF in patients with reflex syncope and a positive tilt table test and to identify the type of tilt test response in patients with AF in comparison to patients without AF. Methods We retrospectively studied consecutive patients that underwent a tilt table test at our institution between 2016 and 2019. We selected those patients with a positive test. Patients with an implanted pacemaker at the time of the tilt test and patients followed in a different institution were excluded. Previous diagnoses of AF episodes were assessed. We analysed the clinical characteristics and the tilt table test results according to previous history of AF. Results We studied 49 patients with a positive tilt test. Seven (14.3%) patients had previously diagnosed paroxysmal AF at the time of the tilt table test. Patients with AF were older, had more frequently hypertension, and the tilt test response was more frequently a vasodepressor than mixed or cardioinhibitory response (71.4% vs. 28.6%) (Table). In univariate analysis, age and hypertension were associated with AF, respectively, OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.01–1.17), p=0.034 and OR 10.80 (95% CI 1.19–98.36), p=0.035. A vasodepressor response was also associated with AF (OR 6.25, 95% CI 1.06–36.74, p=0.043). Conclusions Patients with reflex syncope and a positive tilt table test had a higher prevalence of AF than the general population. A vasodepressor response was associated with AF as were age and hypertension, demonstrating the possible impact of the autonomic nervous system and the multifactorial nature of AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.