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CASE REPORT
Pitfalls in Pacemaker Implant for Hypersensitivity of the Carotid Sinus

  Marcos Benchimol1*      Ilana Benchimol2      Ricardo de Oliveira Souza3   

1Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2Universidade Estácio de Sá, Brazil
3The D’Or Institute for Research & Education (IDOR), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

*Corresponding author: Marcos Benchimol, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, Zip code: 22421030; E-mail: marcosbenchi@hotmail.com


Introduction

Syncope is the cause of 3% and 1% of emergency and hospital admissions, respectively [1-4]. It is the final common pathway of a host of different pathophysiological mechanisms [5]. Accurate diagnosis of the mechanism of syncope is essential for adequate management and prognosis in individual cases.

Prior to the introduction of the head-up tilt table test (HUTT) in clinical practice, most cases of syncope remained undiagnosed. The routine use of the HUTT has shown that reflex syncope comprises the most frequent mechanism underpinning those cases theretofore diagnosed as “syncope of undetermined origin” [6,7].

Reflex syncope is currently classified as (i) vasovagal (the common faint), (ii) situational (cough, micturition, laugh, defecation, and (iii) carotid sinus syndrome (CSS) [8]. CSS is said to be present when the loss of consciousness is elicited in response to accidental mechanical manipulation of the carotid sinus region. It can be reproduced in the lab through carotid sinus massage (CSM) [9]. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) represents a ventricular pause >3 seconds and/or a fall in systolic blood pressure >50 mmHg after CSM. The CSS is a rare condition, accounting for only 1% of patients with syncope in most clinical series [10]. CSS is most common in elderly men [11]. It also constitutes one important mechanism underlying cases of unexplained falls in the elderly [12].

CSM there is strong consensus that the diagnosis of CSS requires both the reproduction of spontaneous symptoms during CSM and clinical features of spontaneous syncope compatible with a reflex mechanism.

Syncope in patients with carotid sinus hypersensitivity almost always occurs in the standing or sitting position [13].

From a hemodynamic perspective, CSS can be (i) cardioinhibitory (asystole lasting >3 seconds in response to CSM], (ii) vasodepressor (drop of systolic pressure >50 mmHg in response to CSM), or (iii) mixed, when asystole and hypotension co-occur in the same patient [10,14]. The European Society of Cardiology, Task Force on Syncope recommends CSM in individuals over 40 years in the investigation of unexplained syncope [15]. CSM requires massage performed for 10 seconds on both sides in both supine and upright positions [15]. There is little agreement among different authors on the relative prevalence of these mechanisms. Differences in methods of blood pressure assessment may explain some of these discrepancies. The following case illustrates how a misinterpretation of the hemodynamic response to carotid sinus massage may delay the correct diagnosis and perpetuate the occurrence of syncope.

Presentation of Case

Informed consented was Informed consent was obtained from the patient to report on his case in its present form.

A 71-year-old lawyer reported several episodes of fainting when standing over the few weeks before his first consultation. The episodes of loss of consciousness had no relation with head movements or neck manipulation. In one such episode, he sustained a severe facial trauma, indicating that at least some of his faints were not preceded by warning signs. His cardiovascular and neurologic exams were normal, as were his blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), Doppler echocardiogram, electroencephalogram, 24-hour Holter monitoring, head CT, and duplex scans of the vertebral and carotid arteries. He did not develop hypotension on standing, nor was he taking drugs that might explain his falls. His premorbid history did not provide clues for the cause of his faints either. To further investigate the etiology of the syncopal episodes, the patient underwent a HUTT preceded by CSM as detailed in a previous article [16]. Briefly, the tilt test table was equipped with a TEB® system for continuous EKG monitoring and support for the feet, allowing 60-80°C inclinations. Blood pressure was measured with an oscillometric device and the measures were confirmed by sphygmomanometer every two minutes or less in case of symptoms. Beginning with the right side, CSM was manually applied during 5 seconds to each carotid sinus at a time with the patient in the supine position at zero degree. After one minute of rest, the table was inclined at 60°C and the procedure was repeated. The HUTT consisted of two stages, namely, (i) a “passive” stage, and (ii) a pharmacologically sensitized stage, which consisted in administering 1.25 mg of isosorbide dinitrate by sublingual route. Each stage lasted 25 minutes or less, in case of the emergence of pre-syncopal symptoms.

There was a positive cardioinhibitory response to right CSM at 60°C with a systolic pause of 7 seconds. Left CSM and the HUTT were negative. Based on these findings, the patient received a diagnosis of CSS, cardioinhibitory subtype. A DDI bicameral pacemaker with ratedrop response function was implanted following the guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology [17].

In spite of the procedure, the syncopal episodes persisted, with a resulting severe limitation of the patient’s activities of daily living. A follow-up exam was thus performed. This time, however, right CSM elicited a systolic drop of 80 mmHg. Despite prompt activation of the pacemaker and increase in heart rate to 100 bpm, the patient lost consciousness and developed convulsive movements. Left CSM and the HUTT were again negative (Figure 1).

Figure 1A: CSM before pacing showing cardioinhibitory pattern (asystole lasting 7 seconds). 1B: Despite pacemaker activation during right CSM, there was a fall in systolic pressure with convulsive syncope, revealing the existence of a hitherto undisclosed vasodepressor component. 1C: Return to sinus rhythm followed by hemodynamic stabilization and recovery of consciousness.

Discussion and Conclusion

In our patient, the fainting spells persisted despite pacemaker activation. Follow-up CSM in the setting of the HUTT revealed that persistence of syncope was due to a hitherto not apparent vasodepressor component. He thus received a diagnosis of CSS, mixed subtype. Indeed, the vasodepressor component was probably present by the time when the first CSM was performed; however, the strong cardioinhibitory response and the technique of gauging the arterial pressure may have prevented its expression, especially if the drop in systolic pressure was quick and brief as it often is [18]. Since hypotension following asystole may result from either vasodepression or bradycardia, in cases of doubtful diagnosis, the vasodepressor component may be disclosed by repeating the CSM after blockage of cardioinhibition by venous administration of atropine or by pacing the patient [19].

CSH may be a quite common finding. Kerr found CSH in 23 out of 80 (35%) asymptomatic individuals older than 65 years old [20] so clinical judgment must be used before attributing the cause of syncope to CSH. This points that place a cardiac pacemaker merely by a CSH finding may not be appropriated. It is relevant to mention that this patient had CSS recurrence even though his HUTT was negative. Gaggioli [21] observed that individuals with CSH and positive HUTT were more likely to have CSS recurrence.

According to Wieling [22], a new classification of CSH should be undertaken because the 3-seconds criteria [10] is too loose as the cerebral anoxia reserve time is about 5-8 seconds [23,24] as long as the frequent finding of the duration of the asystole [20].

Patients with a vasodepressor CSS can be managed with withholding pharmacological vasodilators, such as angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists and long‐acting nitrates, should be considered because all these agents prolong the recovery of arterial pressure [25].

Duration of 6 seconds to define clinically significant asystole is also supported by recent data obtained in a large unselected community sample of elderly people (272 participants, age 65-99 years old). In this sample the 95% cut‐off for cardioinhibition was 7 seconds of asystole in the supine position and 5.5 seconds in the upright position; in addition, all patients with cardiac standstills of >7.0 seconds and >5.5 seconds in these positions, respectively, were symptomatic [20].

In order to detect the abrupt drop of blood pressure with a manually inflated arm cuff, it should be done at each 10 seconds pending on the heart rate, which is almost impossible. The ideal method would be an invasive method or by plethysmography (Finapres® NOVA). Many of the apparent cardioinhibitory type have indeed the mixed form, so the vasodepressor component should be excluded by pacing, which is not clinically feasible in most patients, or by previous administration of 1 mg of atropine. If a drop of 50 mmHg of the systolic blood pressure is observed after correction of bradycardiaof the patient herein reported. The possible benefits of pacing would be blunt as was the case.


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Article Information

Article Type: CASE REPORT

Citation: Benchimol M, Benchimol I, de Oliveira Souza R (2019) Pitfalls in Pacemaker Implant for Hypersensitivity of the Carotid Sinus. J Clin Case Stu 4(1): dx.doi.org/10.16966/2471-4925.182

Copyright: © 2019 Benchimol M, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Publication history: 

  • Received date: 28 Jan, 2019

  • Accepted date: 01 Mar, 2019

  • Published date: 08 Mar, 2019
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