24 hr Ambulatory ECG and Schellong Test for the Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Origin Dizziness

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Dizziness is a vague symptom of disease. Dizziness of cardiovascular origin is associated with decreased cardiac output and usually presented as light-headed sensation of an impending faint. This study aims to provide the clinician with a logical approach to identifying the cardiovascular causes of dizziness. MATERIALS AND METHOD:From February 2002 to June 2004, we sampled the 30 dizzy patients who complained light-headed sensation of an impending faint with underlying disease of arrhythmia or abnormal blood pressure. The 11 patients with arrhythmia were monitored by 24 hr ambulatory ECG monitoring and all were examined with Schellong test. RESULTS:Among the 11 patients with arrhythmia, 7 patients were diagnosed as cardiovascular origin dizziness by 24hr ambulatory ECG monitoring and 10 patients as orthostatic hypotension by Schellong test. CONCLUSION:The results of this study indicated that 24hr ambulatory ECG monitoring and Schellong test had efficacy for the diagnosis of dizzy patients who complained light-headed sensation of an impending faint with underlying disease of arrhythmia or abnormal blood pressure