Falls are one of the most common reasons for patients to present to the emergency department. Syncope is a common cause of falls, which disproportionately affects older people. ⋯ The tilt table test is considered positive if the patient experiences symptoms associated with a drop in blood pressure or postural tachycardia. The test can support a diagnosis and can direct therapeutic interventions.
Department of Elderly Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Brit J Hosp Med. 2021 Oct 2; 82 (10): 1-7.
AbstractFalls are one of the most common reasons for patients to present to the emergency department. Syncope is a common cause of falls, which disproportionately affects older people. In most cases, syncope can be confirmed with a detailed history and simple bedside tests, but tilt table testing remains an invaluable diagnostic adjunct in more complex cases. Often misunderstood, the tilt table test is a useful way to reproduce a patient's symptoms in a safe and controlled environment. The tilt table test is considered positive if the patient experiences symptoms associated with a drop in blood pressure or postural tachycardia. The test can support a diagnosis and can direct therapeutic interventions.