Incidence and Predictors of Syncope in Paced Patients with Sick Sinus Syndrome

Abstract

(1) syncope in paced patients with SSS has multiple etiologies and may be multifactorial; (2) the only predictor of syncope after pacemaker implant is the occurrence of preimplant syncope as the main indication for pacing; (3) extensive Holter monitoring is not useful to document bradycardiac origin of syncope nor to predict its recurrence; (4) SSS probably overlaps with other entities such as autonomic dysfunction, vasovagal syncope, carotid sinus hypersensitivity, and venous pooling, which would provide an explanation for recurrent syncope in patients with normal pacemaker function.