Permanent pacemaker implantation is considered for carotid sinus hypersensitivity with asystolic pause of > 3 seconds during carotid sinus massage, with or without associated systolic blood pressure drop of > 50 mmHg.

Objective: To assess the outcome of treatment with dual chamber permanent pacemaker implantation for carotid sinus hypersensitivity in a district general hospital and to compare our practice with available national data.

Methods: Patients presenting with syncope, dizziness or unexplained falls were initially assessed as outpatient and investigations, commonly cardiovascular were performed including tilt table test with carotid sinus massage to look for carotid sinus hypersensitivity, vasovagal syncope and postural hypotension. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who had pacemaker implantations for carotid sinus hypersensitivity.

Results: Fifty pacemaker implantations were performed, 14 (28%) were for carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Mean follow-up period was 10 months. Age range was 56-88 (mean = 71.9) years. In the eighteen months prior to pacemaker implantation, 71.4% of patients had syncope, 64% dizziness and 50% had unexplained falls. Following pacemaker implantations, only 2 (14.3%) had symptoms. Scottish national figures show 13.6% of all new pacemaker implants were for carotid sinus hypersensitivity, and in district general hospitals this was 16%.

Conclusions: Health benefits for patients presenting with syncope dizziness and falls can be achieved by cardiovascular investigations including tilt table testing. We have shown carotid sinus hypersensitivity is successfully treated with pacemaker implantation in a district general hospital setting and this type of clinic has an impact on the rate and type of new pacemaker implantation.