What is the Real Clinical Significance of Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity in Clinical Practice? A Dilemma Still Waiting for Answers

摘要

Carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) is defined by pause ≥ 3 seconds (sinus or atrioventricular block) and/or systolic blood pressure drop ≥ 50mmHg during carotid sinus massage (CSM). The prevalence of CSH varies according to the method and population evaluated in up to 68% of elderly patients with syncope and 35% of asymptomatic individuals over 65 years of age. Therefore, the cause-effect relationship between carotid sinus hypersensitivity and syncope should always be questioned, and may only be a casual finding and not necessarily the carotid sinus syndrome (CSS), one of the causes of syncope seen mainly in elderly patients.