PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE IN YOUNG SUBJECTS

The occurrence of vasovagal fainting is common in young subjects, but the origin of the precipitating hemodynamic mechanisms involved remain a subject of considerable speculation. Vasovagal fainting is not a su dden onset phenomenon, early failure of vascular resistance responses occurs in faint-prone young subjects. The variability of hemodynamic r esponses during the actual faint is large, but the main mechanism oper ative during, is withdrawal of sympathetic outflow to blood vessels in skeletal muscle with impairment of ability to maintain vasomotor tone .