Article of Interest
Littler, W et al. Direct arterial pressure, pulse rate, and electrocardiogram during micturition and defecation. American Heart Journal. 1974.
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Context and Study Objective
Vasovagal events are the leading cause of syncope yet viewed as a diagnosis of exclusion. In such cases, subsequent evaluations result in time-consuming diagnostic tests from which little is learned
. Littler and colleagues sought to chronicle the hemodynamic changes accompanying micturation and defecation, potent vagal stimuli.
Design, Setting, and Participants
Eleven subjects underwent continuous hemodynamic monitoring as outpatients via arterial cannulation and electrocardiographic recording for 24 hours. Through the use of diary entries, circulatory changes at the time of these excretory events were documented.
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