Modified criteria for carotid sinus hypersensitivity are associated with increased mortality in a population-based study.

AIMS: Carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) is arbitrarily defined as ≥3 s asystole or vasodepression of ≥50 mmHg in response to carotid sinus massage (CSM). Using this definition, 39% of older people meet the criteria for CSH. It has been suggested that current criteria are too sensitive. Krediet et al. [The history of diagnosing carotid sinus hypersensitivity: why are the current criteria too sensitive? Europace 2011;13:14-22] and Kerr et al. [Carotid sinus hypersensitivity in asymptomatic older persons: implications for diagnosis of syncope and falls. Arch Intern Med 2006;166:515-20] have proposed modified criteria. This population-based study aimed to compare the prevalence of CSH defined according to standard, Krediet and Kerr criteria, and to establish if CSH defined according these criteria is associated with all-cause mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 272 community-dwelling people aged ≥65 were recruited at random. Carotid sinus massage was performed for 5 s in supine and head-up positions. Heart rate and blood pressure response were recorded using an electrocardiogram and photoplethysmography. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the association between each definition of CSH and all-cause mortality. The prevalence of CSH defined according to standard, Krediet, and Kerr criteria was 39, 52, and 10%, respectively. Seventy-one participants died over a mean follow-up of 8.6 years (SD 2.1). Carotid sinus hypersensitivity defined according to standard and Krediet criteria was not associated with survival. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity defined according to Kerr criteria was associated with all-cause mortality independent of age and sex [hazard ratio (HR) 2.023 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.131-3.618) P = 0.018)]. This remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors [HR 2.174 (1.075-3.900) P = 0.009].

CONCLUSION: Carotid sinus hypersensitivity defined according to Kerr criteria is associated with increased mortality. This raises an interesting question as to the suitability of the current criteria used to define CSH.