What is a tilt table test and why is it performed during the investigation of syncope?

Br J Hosp Med (Lond)

Department of Elderly Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Published: October 2021

Falls are one of the most common reasons for patients to present to the emergency department. Syncope is a common cause of falls, which disproportionately affects older people. In most cases, syncope can be confirmed with a detailed history and simple bedside tests, but tilt table testing remains an invaluable diagnostic adjunct in more complex cases. Often misunderstood, the tilt table test is a useful way to reproduce a patient's symptoms in a safe and controlled environment. The tilt table test is considered positive if the patient experiences symptoms associated with a drop in blood pressure or postural tachycardia. The test can support a diagnosis and can direct therapeutic interventions.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2020.0462DOI Listing

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