Medica Jadertina, Vol. 41 No. 1-2, 2011.
Professional paper
Tussive syncope: case report
Irena Perić
; Klinički bolnički centar Split, Klinika za plućne bolesti
Goran Mijaljica
; Hitna medicinska pomoć Metković
Kornelija Miše
; Klinički bolnički centar Split, Klinika za plućne bolesti
Ivan Gudelj
; Klinički bolnički centar Split, Klinika za plućne bolesti
Ivančica Pavličević
; Medicinski fakultet Split, Odjel za obiteljsku medicinu
Abstract
Tussive syncope, or cough syncope, is most often found in middle-aged, moderately obese men, who smoke or have stopped smoking. The reason why the male gender and obesity are predisposing
factors for cough syncope is unknown. The majority of patients also suffer from chronic cough, episodes of severe cough, and clinical evidence of obstructive pulmonary disease. There are several proposed mechanisms. The first is that when a person coughs, intrathoracic pressure rises and obstructs venous outflow, which results in an acute decrease of cardiac output and blood pressure. As a result, the cerebral flow also decreases, which finally causes loss of consciousness. A second possible mechanism is the decrease of cerebral perfusion, as a consequence of increased pressure of the
cerebrospinal liquor. Besides these mechanisms, tussive syncope is also found in patients with hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, etc. Tussive syncope is considered as
one of the situational syncopes, which take place after certain processes: e.g. defecation, micturition, swallowing and coughing. We will present the diagnostic guidelines through the case of a 45 year-old patient with tussive syncope, treated at the Split University Hospital Department for Pulmonary Diseases.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
70337
URI
Publication date:
6.7.2011.
Visits: 8.594 *