Asystole is then prevented by the drug and the fall in blood pressure L-NAME selleck can be measured. Atropine has side-effects and these need to be discussed with the patient at the outset of the test and included in the formal consent, if one is used. Further to the above given definitions, a mixed response to CSM is one where there is an asystolic period of >3s and a fall in blood pressure of >50 mmHg. This can only be assessed using active prevention of the asystole by atropine or possibly by temporary pacing, which is considered

too invasive, except in very unusual cases. This describes the ‘Method of symptoms’ where if there is asystole in the first massage with reproduction of symptoms and symptoms are abolished by atropine in the second massage of the same artery it is revealed that the period of asystole was responsible for the symptoms, see Table 1 ‘Classification of CSS’. Table 1 Classification of CSS (after Brignole and Menozzi 6 ). Contraindications to CSM Currently, it is accepted that a carotid bruit is a contraindication to CSM but it is known that carotid bruits do not correlate well with degrees of carotid stenosis. A Carotid bruit’s elevation of the risk of massage has never been put to the test. However, in small series, patients with quite severe carotid stenoses have safely undergone CSM. 22 There is less controversy about recent (within 3 months) transient

ischaemic attacks, strokes and myocardial infarctions providing contraindications to CSM, but the nature of the contraindication should be more considered to the autonomic changes wrought by these conditions altering the results, than the dangers of the CSM at this time.

19 CSM occasionally precipitates atrial fibrillation, which quickly reverts to sinus rhythm. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity As has been stated, carotid sinus hypersensitivity is a positive response to carotid sinus massage in an asymptomatic patient. It could, therefore, be construed that CSH is a precursor of CSS. While this may be true, no data exist to confirm this possibility. However, CSH has been taken to indicate the existence of an abnormal reflex, which may have importance in unexplained falls, where it is necessary to take into account that there may have been syncope but the history of syncope is unavailable due to the relatively common amnesia for the event. 23 Several Batimastat studies have been performed to investigate the role of the abnormal reflex in unexplained falls and its possible treatment by pacing to prevent the expected bradycardia and thereby prevent at least some falls. 24–27 The first trial, SAFE PACE, 24 showed promise that there may be a favourable influence of pacing but this has not been substantiated in the subsequent studies. 25–27 One of the reasons for these disappointing results may be the lack of equivalence of CSH to CSS in fallers.