What is Tilt Table Testing?
A tilt table study is used to evaluate patients who have had syncope (loss of consciousness). Normally, a person's cardiovascular system has to adjust itself frequently in order to prevent a significant portion of the blood volume from pooling in the legs. When a normal individual is placed in an upright tilt (similar to standing), these cardiovascular adjustments occur very quickly, and there is no significant drop in their blood pressure. In some patients, however, the cardiovascular adjustment to an upright tilt does not function normally. In these circumstances, a patient can experience syncope. Patients with unexplained syncope are often referred for Tilt Table Testing (TTT) to reproduce their syncope and, thus, determine what is happening to allow for treatment.
If you have questions.
If you are uncertain or have questions about having a TTT, we recommend you speak with your doctor.
What To Expect.
For a tilt table study, you will be strapped to a table, which is then mechanically tilted to an upright position. The straps are placed around you to hold you in case you do lose consciousness during the test. While tilting upright, your pulse, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and blood oxygen saturation are monitored. You will be kept upright on the table and asked to remain motionless in this standing position for 20 to 30 minutes. This tends to allow pooling of your blood in your legs. If your syncope is reproduced (a "positive" tilt table study), the monitoring devices are likely to show what has occured, allowing your doctor the knowledge of how to treat your syncope.
Is the test safe?
Syncope is inherently dangerous since it can occur during normal activities such as driving. Though there are risks in performing TTT since it is designed to cause syncope symptoms, highly-skilled staff will be with you throughout the test to respond in the event the test is indeed 'positive'.