ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that, after a sudden decrease in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in adolescents, a faint, rapid hyperemic pulsatile CBFV occurs upon the patient's return to the supine position and is associated with postsyncopal headache. STUDY DESIGN: This case-control study involved 16 adolescent subjects with a history of fainting and headaches. We induced fainting during 70° tilt-table testing and measured mean arterial pressure, heart rate, end-tidal CO(2), and CBFV. Fifteen control subjects were similarly evaluated with a tilt but did not faint, and comparisons with fainters were made at equivalent defined time points. RESULTS: Baseline values were similar between the groups. Upon fainting, mean arterial pressure decreased 49% in the patients who fainted vs 6% in controls (P < .001). The heart rate decreased 15% in fainters and increased 35% in controls (P < .001). In patients who fainted, cerebrovascular critical closing pressure increased markedly, which resulted in reduced diastolic (-66%) and mean CBFV (-46%) at faint; systolic CBFV was similar to controls. Pulsatile CBFV (systolic-diastolic CBFV) increased 38% in fainters, which caused flow-mediated dilatation of cerebral vessels. When the fainters returned to the supine position, CBFV exhibited increased systolic and decreased diastolic flows compared with controls (P < .02). CONCLUSION: Increased pulsatile CBFV during and after faint may cause postsyncopal cerebral vasodilation and headache.
Subject(s)
Cerebrovascular Circulation/physiology , Headache/physiopathology , Syncope/physiopathology , Vasodilation/physiology , Adolescent , Blood Flow Velocity/physiology , Brain/blood supply , Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Diastole/physiology , Female , Heart Rate/physiology , Humans , Hypotension/physiopathology , Male , Respiratory Rate/physiology , Systole/physiology , Tidal Volume , Tilt-Table Test , Young AdultABSTRACT
Initial orthostatic hypotension is common in children. Isometric handgrip increases arterial pressure, central blood volume, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance. We show that in 14 subjects with initial orthostatic hypotension, isometric handgrip coupled with standing abolished symptoms of initial orthostatic hypotension and minimized decreases in blood pressure and cardiac output with standing.