Usefulness of Physical Maneuvers for Prevention of Vasovagal Syncope

Squatting test: a dynamic postural manoeuvre to study baroreflex sensitivity

“…These changes will result in greater increase of systolic BP than of diastolic BP and thus augmentation of PP in squatting as compared to standing position. A study reported a significant increase in systolic/diastolic BP (+6.5/+3.7 mmHg) in healthy female and male adults [15]. Another study elucidated the pulsatile haemodynamic change induced by squatting and concluded that this change is induced by enhanced aortic wave reflection [16].…”

Effectiveness of Physical Counterpressure Maneuvers in Preventing Vasovagal Syncope

“…Recently, Krediet et al (15) published reports on controlling or aborting impending vasovagal syncope by leg crossing and muscle tensing (16,17). Brignole et al (18) found a comparable effect of isometric arm counterpressure maneuvers.…”

Optimizing squatting as a physical maneuver to prevent vasovagal syncope

“…In recent years, physical counter maneuvers that raise blood pressure by augmenting venous return to the heart and increasing cardiac output (CO) at the onset of an impending vasovagal faint have been on the advent as a therapy (e.g. leg crossing with muscle tensing [21], lower body muscle tensing [19], squatting [18,19] and isometric arm exercise [2]). A multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial showed that adding physical counter maneuvers to the traditional therapy resulted in a relative risk reduction of 39% for syncope recurrence [30].…”

“…One of the most potent physical counter maneuvers is squatting [18,19]. It is an easy, natural maneuver at the onset of presyncopal complaints.…”