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Psychologic Stress, Vasodepressor (Vasovagal) Syncope, and Sudden Death
Abstract
Giving up in the face of emotional arousal and psychologic uncertainty are conditions conducive both to vasodepressor syncope and sudden death. Under such circumstances there may be simultaneous activation of two emergency biologic regulatory systems, flight-fight and conservation-withdrawal. In the healthy person this may result in vasodepressor syncope, benign arrhythmias, or both. In the presence of factors lowering the threshold for conduction disturbances, dangerous arrhythmias and sudden death rather than, or as well as, vasodepressor syncope may result. Although active myocardial damage by itself may provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for lethal arrhythmias, psychic uncertainty must be considered an additional risk factor. The implications of this concept for patient care and prevention of sudden death are a challenge for future research.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine; Rochester, New York.
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Based on the First Annual Edward Weiss Lecture, 11 October 1975, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Abe Ravin Lecture, 31 May 1977, General Rose Hospital, Denver, Colorado.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to George L. Engel, M.D.; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Rochester; 260 Crittenden Boulevard; Rochester, NY 14642.
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- Received December 5, 1977.
- Accepted June 9, 1978.
