Syncope Trial to Understand Tilt Testing or ECG Recording Tenth Prevention of Syncope Trial

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY · Mar 17, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Syncope Trial, also known as the STUTTER study, is looking at how to better diagnose older patients who experience unexplained fainting spells, known as syncope. The trial will compare two methods: a tilt table test, which helps doctors see how your body responds to changes in position, and a device called an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) that records heart activity over time. Researchers believe that starting with the tilt test may help doctors find the cause of syncope more quickly than using the ICM right away.

To participate in this study, you need to be over 50 years old and have had at least one fainting episode in the past year, with unclear reasons after a thorough check-up. You should not have any serious heart conditions or devices like a pacemaker that would interfere with the study. If you join, you can expect to undergo the tilt table test and regular follow-ups to monitor your health. This research aims to improve how doctors understand and treat syncope, ultimately leading to better care for patients like you.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age \>50 years old
• • ≥1 syncope26 in the prior 12 months
• • diagnosis unclear after history, physical exam, and electrocardiogram
• • no apparent risk of death due to the cause of syncope
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • cannot provide informed consent or attend routine follow up
• • have known left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50%,or have
• • pacemaker, ICD, or ICM
• • Class I indication for permanent pacing or ICD implantation
• • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• • a history of myocardial infarction within 3 months prior to enrolment
• • a major chronic co-morbid medical condition that would preclude 12 months of follow-up
• • bifascicular block
• • epilepsy proven by electroencephalography
• • syncope of known cause