Interventions aimed to increase average 24-hour systolic blood pressure reduce blood pressure drops in patients with reflex syncope and orthostatic intolerance

Antonella Groppelli, Giulia Rivasi, Artur Fedorowski, Frederik de Lange, Vincenzo Russo, Roberto Maggi, Marco Capacci, Sara Nawaz, Angelo Comune, Lorenzo Bianchi, Antonella Zambon, Davide Soranna, Andrea Ungar, Gianfranco Parati, Michele Brignole

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) drops recorded by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) identify patients with susceptibility to reflex syncope and orthostatic intolerance. We tested the hypothesis that treatments aimed to increase BP (reassurance, education & life-style measures plus pharmacological strategies) can reduce SBP drops.

METHODS: Multicentre, observational proof-of-concept study performed in patients with reflex syncope and/or orthostatic intolerance and with SBP drops on a screening ABPM.

RESULTS: Among 144 eligible patients, 111 underwent a second ABPM on average 2.5 months after start of treatment. Overall, mean 24-hour SBP increased from 114.1 ± 12.1 mmHg to 121.4 ± 14.5 mmHg (p < 0.0001). The number of SBP drops <90 mmHg and <100 mmHg decreased by 61%, 46% during daytime and by 48% and 37% during 24-hour period, respectively (p < 0.0001 for all). The dose-response relationship between difference in 24-hour average SBP increase and reduction in number of SBP drops reached a plateau around approximately 15 mmHg increase of 24-hour SBP. The reduction in SBP drop rate was consistent and significant in patients who underwent deprescription of hypotensive medications (n = 44) and in patients who received BP-rising drugs (n = 67).

CONCLUSION: In patients with reflex syncope and/or orthostatic intolerance, an increase in average 24-hour SBP, regardless of the implemented strategy, significantly reduced the number of SBP drops and symptom burden. A 13 mmHg increase in 24-hour SBP appears to represent the optimal goal for aborting the maximal number of SBP drops, representing a possible target for future interventions.

CLINCALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05729724.

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease

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