Successful Treatment of Vasovagal Syncope Due to Blood-Injury Phobia by Physical Maneuvering

ABSTRACT

Blood-injury phobia may present as a vasovagal syncope in response to the sight of blood or after receiving venipuncture. A 26-year-old man presented with a history of syncope induced by venipuncture. A transcranial Doppler (TCD) scan with monitoring of both heart rate and blood pressure reproduced the syncope and showed it to be vasovagal in nature. Treatment by practicing physical maneuvers, such as leg crossing and muscle tensing, improved the condition of the patient. This case suggests that physical maneuvering is effective in the treatment of blood-injury phobia.