Vasovagal syncope-role of closed loop stimulation pacing

Abstract

The benefit of conventional pacing in vasovagal syncope remains controversial and is currently recommended for patients with recurrent syncope and documented asystole. In the last two decades, a growing body of evidence has emerged supporting the use of a new sensing technique called closed loop stimulation or CLS, to treat refractory vasovagal syncope. CLS uses a sensing algorithm that can detect variation in cardiac contractility and respond to drop in blood pressure by increasing the heart rate. Multiple observational and randomized studies have assessed its efficacy and showed its superiority to conventional pacing in reducing the burden of syncopal attacks in patients with cardio-inhibitory vasovagal syncope.

Keywords: Closed loop stimulation; Pacemaker; Syncope; Vasovagal.