Cardiac syncope due to pain: report of a case responsive to duloxetine treatment

Herz. 2013 Sep;38(6):683-4. doi: 10.1007/s00059-012-3734-6. Epub 2013 Apr 17.

Abstract

Neurocardiogenic syncope comprises situations triggered by neurological reflexes resulting in abnormal responses of the neurocardiovascular system that cause loss of consciousness. A vast number of clinical conditions may cause this disorder including pain, defecation, micturition, swallowing, cough, sudden fear or excitement, exercise, and long-time standing. Treatment options for syncope prevention are not satisfactory. Several agents were used for pharmacological treatment without success. Selective inhibitors of neuronal norepinephrine transporter (NET) like duloxetine may play a role in neurally mediated syncope by increasing synaptic norepinephrine levels. Therefore, we report the effect of duloxetine in a patient with pain-induced syncope resistant to standard regimens.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pain / complications*
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Syncope / diagnosis
  • Syncope / etiology*
  • Syncope / prevention & control*
  • Thiophenes / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Thiophenes
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride