[Comparison of the use of isoproterenol or nitroglycerine during the Tilt test].

BACKGROUND

There is debate about the advantages of different protocols usefulness of tilt test for the diagnosis of vasovagal collapse.

AIM: To compare the sensitivity, specificity, adverse reactions, complications and time requirements of two different Tilt test protocols.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A Tilt test using isoproterenol in progressive doses (2 μg for 10 min and 5 μg for 5 min posteriorly was performed in 159 patients aged 9 to 84 years (59 males). Another Tilt test using sublingual nitroglycerine in doses of 0.3 mg was performed in 201 patients aged 8 to 87 years (62 males). Also, 20 healthy volunteers were tested.

RESULTS

The positivity rates of the tests using isoproterenol and nitroglycerin were 75.5 and 77.6% respectively (NS). The figures for sensitivity were 98.4 and 99.3% (NS). The figures for specificity were 93.2 and 98.4% (NS). The test using isoproterenol requires 15 more minutes. As adverse reactions, 38% of participants experienced palpitations with isoproterenol and 22% experienced headache with nitroglycerin.

CONCLUSIONS

The Tilt test with nitroglycerin is shorter, simpler, painless, with less personnel involved and has the same diagnostic accuracy than the test with isoproterenol.