Tilt table test
Tilt table test
The Tilt table test (pronunciation: /tɪlt teɪbəl tɛst/) is a medical procedure often used to diagnose dysautonomia or syncope.
Etymology
The term "tilt table test" comes from the English words "tilt", meaning to cause to lean, incline, slope, or slant, and "table", in reference to the table used during the procedure. The "test" refers to the diagnostic nature of the procedure.
Procedure
During a tilt table test, the patient is strapped to a table which is then tilted to raise the upper part of their body. This simulates the change in position from lying down to standing up. The patient's blood pressure and heart rate are monitored throughout the test to see how their body responds to the change in position.
Uses
The tilt table test is primarily used to help determine the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope). It is particularly useful in diagnosing conditions that have to do with the body's autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.
Related Terms
- Dysautonomia: A disorder of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function that generally involves failure of the sympathetic or parasympathetic components of the ANS.
- Syncope: Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure.
- Autonomic nervous system: The part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
See Also
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