Cardiovascular effects and risk of syncope related to donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: When otherwise unexplained, syncope in patients with Alzheimer's disease may be attributed to bradycardia caused by cholinesterase inhibitors. We studied prospectively the clinical events and cardiovascular changes occurring during treatment with donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease were included in the study.

Causes of syncope in patients with Alzheimer's disease treated with donepezil.

Introduction: Treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with cholinesterase inhibitors carries a theoretical risk of precipitating bradycardia. Though syncope occurs in patients with AD, its aetiology is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of syncope in patients with AD who were treated with donepezil and hospitalised for evaluation of syncope.