The Treatment of the Carotid-Sinus Syndrome by Irradiation

Abstract

THE treatment of the carotid-sinus syndrome in the past has been difficult, nonspecific and unsatisfactory. We wish to report 52 cases in which irradiation was followed by complete remission of symptoms in a large majority of patients. The chief characteristic of this syndrome is spontaneous syncope with less frequent or accompanying allied disorders. The underlying causes are unknown. The anatomy and physiology have been described elsewhere.1 2 3 Contributing factors are age and atherosclerosis, hypertension with atherosclerosis or heart disease4 , 5 and increased sensitivity of the autonomic nervous system. Hypertension without atherosclerosis does not predispose a patient to a sensitive carotid sinus. Many . . .