All about Tilt table test
All about Tilt table test
Author: Sam Jones
A tilt table test is a medical procedure often used to diagnose dysautonomia or syncope. Patients with symptoms of dizziness or lightheadedness, with or without a loss of consciousness (fainting), suspected to be associated with a drop in blood pressure or positional tachycardia are good candidates for this test. Preparations Before actually taking the Tilt Table Test, the patient may be instructed to fast for a period before the test will take place, and to stop taking any medications. On the day of the tilt table test, a patient may be monitored using an electrocardiogram (ECG) while lying down. Some facilities insert an intravenous line in case the patient needs to be given medication quickly; however, this may influence the results of the test and may only be indicated in particular circumstances. More recently, most investigators monitor cerebral perfusion using mean flow velocity recording with transcranial doppler ultrasound in supine horizontal position, during and after head-up tilt. An 18 MHz ultrasound transducer is placed on the temporal bone above the cheekbone, using a head gear to hold the probe in place. Procedure A tilt table test can be done in different ways and be modified for individual circumstances. In some cases, the patient will be strapped to a tilt table lying flat and then tilted or suspended completely or almost completely upright (as if standing). Most of the time, a patient is suspended at an angle of sixty to eighty degrees. Sometimes, the patient will be given a drug, such as Glyceryl trinitrate or isoproterenol, to create further susceptibility to the test. In all cases, the patient is instructed not to move. Symptoms, blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, and sometimes blood oxygen saturation are recorded. The test ends when the patient faints or has other significant symptoms, at which time he or she is given medical attention, or after a set period of time (usually from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the facility or individualized protocol). Diagnostic symptoms A tilt table test is considered positive if the patient experiences symptoms associated with a drop in blood pressure or cardiac arrhythmia. A normal person's blood pressure will not drop dramatically while standing, because the body will compensate for this posture with a slight increase in heart rate and constriction of the blood vessels in the legs. If this process does not function normally in the patient, the test could provoke signs and symptoms ranging from minor lightheadedness to a very severe cardiac episode, depending on the person. A common side effect during tilt table testing is a feeling of heaviness and warmth in the lower extremities. This is due to blood pooling in the legs and, to onlookers, the patient's lower extremities may appear blotchy, pink, or red. Dizziness or lightheadedness are also likely to occur in susceptible patients. Tilt table testing could provoke fainting or syncope. In fact, this is the purpose of the test. It may not be appropriate, or indeed even possible, to stop the test before this occurs, as the drop in blood pressure or pulse rate associated with fainting can come on in seconds. This is why the patient's blood pressure and ECG should be continuously monitored during the test. In extreme cases, tilt table testing could provoke seizures, or even cause the heart to stop. The heart resumes beating normally upon being returned to a flat or head-down position. If at any time in tilt table testing a patient loses consciousness, he or she will be returned to a supine or head down position and will be given immediate medical attention, which could include being given fluids or perhaps atropine or adrenaline. Why Consider India? Tilt Table Test in India is available at a rock bottom price at various hospitals in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and New Delhi. Cardiac Care is a specialty of India. Equipped with the cutting edge technology, the health care sector in India has geared up its speed to be one of the most flourishing industries. Indian hospitals are becoming known internationally for medical standard and success rates. India has the technology and the skilled super specialists along with outstanding infrastructure and professional management, nurses and paramedical staff to take on international competition. Offering an array of corporate hospitals and treatments at a reasonable price, India proves itself to be one of the best places for the medical treatment in the world. To add on, India is one of the largest pharmaceutical industries in the world. It is self sufficient in drug production and exports drugs to more than 180 countries. The reasons why many international patients travel to India for Cardiac Treatment vary. Many medical tourists from the US are seeking treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by long waiting times.
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