Background: carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) is associated with syncope, drop attacks and unexplained falls in older people. However, a recent study has also reported a prevalence of 35% in asymptomatic community-dwelling older people.
Objective: we conducted a retrospective observational study to investigate the haemodynamic and symptom responses of a large cohort of patients undergoing carotid sinus massage (CSM).
Methods: the electronically stored haemodynamic data of 302 consecutive patients, aged 71 +/- 11 years, investigated with CSM for unexplained falls and syncope was analysed. Bilateral sequential CSM was performed in the supine and upright positions with continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) and non-invasive beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring (Taskforce, CN Systems, Austria). CSH (CSH) was defined by maximal R-R interval > or =3 s (cardioinhibitory) and/or a systolic blood pressure drop of > or =50 mmHg (vasodepressor).
Results: a total of 74/302 (25%) subjects had CSH, 37 (50%) of which were cardioinhibitory (CI) and 37 (50%) were vasodepressor (VD) subtypes. Subjects with positive CSM were significantly older (75.2 vs 70.2 years, P < 0.001), and more likely to be male (32% vs 19%, P < 0.01). CSH was diagnosed with right-sided CSM alone in 45 (61%) subjects and erect CSM only in 36 (49%) subjects. Symptom reproduction was more likely with the CI than the VD subtypes (82% vs 28%; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: CSH was diagnosed in 25% of patients investigated with CSM at our specialist unit, lower than the prevalence of 39% reported for community-dwelling older individuals. This discrepancy may be explained by selection bias and demographic differences, but raises the possibility of CSH being an age-related epiphenomenon rather than a causal mechanism for syncope, drop attacks and unexplained falls. Our observations have important implications for clinical practice and the development of future research strategies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afp160 | DOI Listing |
Pituitary
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Purpose: Pituitary adenomas, despite their histologically benign nature, can severely impact patients' quality of life due to hormone hypersecretion. Invasion of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus (MWCS) by these tumors complicates surgical outcomes, lowering biochemical remission rates and increasing recurrence. This study aims to share our institutional experience with the selective resection of the MWCS in endoscopic pituitary surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid artery and cavernous sinus, often causing ocular symptoms like chemosis, proptosis, and diplopia. Endovascular embolization is the preferred treatment, typically performed via the transfemoral transvenous route through the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS). However, we present a case and a systematic review of indirect CCF treated through deep orbital puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) for embolization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancers (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Science Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo 1130034, Japan.
: Resection of tumors invading the cavernous sinus (CS) carries a risk of injury to the cranial nerves and internal carotid artery. Therefore, radical surgery involving lesions around the CS remains challenging, especially for lesions invading the CS, optic sheath, and oculomotor cave. Here, we describe a surgical strategy for meningiomas invading these structures and report on the clinical outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicine (Baltimore)
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Eskişehir, Türkiye.
This study assesses the effect of carotid sinus blockade applied with a local anesthetic on hemodynamic parameters during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) operations performed under general anesthesia. The medical records of patients who underwent CEA under general anesthesia between January 2020 and December 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. It was recorded whether the patients received carotid sinus block with 2 mL of 2% prilocaine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Neurological Surgery and Rosa Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Electronic address:
Background And Objective: Radiosurgery can serve as a primary, adjuvant, or salvage treatment modality for cavernous sinus tumors (CST), providing high tumor control. However, particularly with cavernous sinus expansion, there may be insufficient distance from the optic apparatus to perform radiosurgery safely. The internal carotid artery adjacent to the distal dural ring (ICAddr), when enhancing similarly to the CST, can be difficult to delineate, and can lead to over-contouring of target volume near the optic nerve and therefore increasing the risk of radiation-induced optic toxicity.
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