THE EFFICACY OF MIDODRINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE

QINGYOU, ZHANG MD
JUNBAO, DU MD
CHAOSHU, TANG MD

Department of Pediatrics and Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Peking University First Hospital and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China

Reprint requests: Du Junbao, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Xi-An Men Street No. 1, West District, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China. E-mail: [email protected]

Supported by The National Tenth Five-Year Plan Research Project of China (2004BA720A10) and the Major Basic Research Project of China (2006 CB503807).

See editorial, p 740

Submitted for publication Mar 23, 2006; last revision received Jun 1, 2006; accepted Jul 14, 2006.

Journal of Pediatrics 149(6):p 777-780, December 2006.

Objective

To determine whether midodrine hydrochloride therapy can prevent vasovagal syncope (VVS) in pediatric patients.

Study design

Children with recurrent syncope (n = 26) were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Group I comprised children given midodrine hydrochloride as first-line therapy in addition to conventional therapy, and group II comprised patients receiving conventional therapy only. Repeat head-up tilt (HUT) testing and follow-up of least 6 months were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and side effects of midodrine in treating VVS in children.

Results

The HUT-based effective rate was significantly higher in group I than in group II (75% vs 20%; P < .05). During the follow-up period, the recurrence of syncope was significantly lower in group I than in group II (P < .05).

Conclusions

Midodrine hydrochlorate is effective in treating VVS in children, especially in preventing recurrent episodes. Few side effects were observed in the present study.