The Diagnostic Performance of Tilt Test in Athletes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In the present study the investigators evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of passive tilt test in athletes, as well as their haemodynamic responses and autonomic nervous system activity during head-up tilt. Moreover, the investigators try to apply a novel algorithm for the improvement of diagnostic yield of tilt test in athletes.

Detailed Description
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We examine athletes with a history of reflex syncope and athletes without history of reflex syncope.All subjects undergo a tilt test, for the evaluation of haemodynamics, heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity.

Official Title
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The Diagnostic Performance of Tilt Test in Athletes and a Novel Strategy for Its Improvement

Conditions
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Syncope

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Passive tilt test


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 14-40 years old, more than 5 years of exercise training experience and competition at a regional level at different sports Exclusion Criteria: smoking, recent alcohol consumption, presence of any chronic disease and use of drugs

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 14 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: History of reflex syncope<br>Passive tilt test in athletes with a history of reflex syncope | Other: Passive tilt test<br>* Passive tilt test (without pharmacological provocation). After a horizontal supine rest period of 5 min, the tilt table was inclined at 60° head-up position for 30 min. A positive response was defined according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope<br>|
| Other: No history of reflex syncope<br>Passive tilt test in athletes without history of reflex syncope | Other: Passive tilt test<br>* Passive tilt test (without pharmacological provocation). After a horizontal supine rest period of 5 min, the tilt table was inclined at 60° head-up position for 30 min. A positive response was defined according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| sensitivity and specificity of tilt test in athletes as measured by the occurence of syncope/presyncope during tilt test | sensitivity = number of subjects with syncope/presyncope during tilt test/ number of subjects with a history of reflex syncope, specificity = number of subjects without syncope/presyncope during tilt test/ number of subjects without history of reflex syncope | 30 min | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parameters of haemodynamics during tilt test | We investigate whether the mean values of parameters of haemodynamics during tilt test can discriminate between athletes with a history of reflex syncope and those without history of syncope | 30 min | 
| Parameters of heart rate variability during tilt test | We investigate whether the mean values of parameters of heart rate variability during tilt test can discriminate between athletes with a history of reflex syncope and those without history of syncope | 30 min | 
| Parameters of baroreflex sensitivity during tilt test | We investigate whether the mean values of parameters of baroreflex sensitivity during tilt test can discriminate between athletes with a history of reflex syncope and those without history of syncope | 30 min |