ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope and is an amount medical, social and economic problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We study a population of patients with history of syncope of presumed vasovagal origin submitted to head-up tilt test (TT) with intention to describe and to compare symptoms, signs and trigger situations between positive and negative TT. Twenty four variables were investigated (chosen according to the clinical experience). RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were included. The age mean was 33,3 ± 19,4 years and 67.3% corresponded to women. 81 patients (71,7%) experienced syncope during test. The more frequent response was mixed subtype (58 %), followed by vasodepressor response (30,9%) and cardioinhibitory response (11,1%). There were not significant differences between both groups in symptoms, signs and trigger situations. In patients with negative TT was more frequent syncopes triggered by extreme exercise (p = 0,012). CONCLUSION: In patients with vasovagal syncope suspicion, a clinic history does not predict TT results.