Cardiac pacing reduced nonaccidental falls in older adults with cardioinhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity.

Patients 175 patients > 50 years of age (mean age 73 y, 59% women) with cardioinhibitory CSH who reported to the emergency department because of a non-accidental fall. Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment (MiniMental State Examination score < 24), a medical cause for the fall within 10 days of presentation, an accidental fall, blindness, contraindication to carotid sinus massage (CSM), and use of drugs known to cause hypersensitivity to CSM. Follow up was 91%.