Tilt Table - Children's Hospital Boston

300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000

Clinical Services:

Tilt Table Evaluation

Back to Cardiovascular Diagnostic Evaluation

What is a tilt table evaluation?

The tilt table procedure attempts to identify the cause for the onset of syncope (fainting) by making changes in your child's posture from lying to standing. This is done by having your child lie flat on a special bed or table while connected to EKG and blood pressure monitors.

How is a tilt table evaluation performed?

The test is performed by a trained technician with a doctor present, takes 45 minutes to complete and requires your child lie flat on a special bed or table while connected to EKG and blood pressure monitors.

The bed or table is then elevated to an almost standing position to simulate your child actually standing up from a lying position. The blood pressure and EKG are measured during the test to evaluate changes during the position changes.

Why are tilt table evaluations performed?

Tilt table evaluations attempt to determine the cause of your child's fainting episodes. Once the cause is known, the physician can then prescribe specific treatment for the syncope.

For example, if the test causes an episode of syncope, then the probable cause is vasovagal syndrome, a sudden drop in blood pressure sometimes accompanied by a decrease in heart rate.

Tilt table tests can produce fainting in some people who have never fainted and can fail to reproduce fainting in people with well documented vasovagal syncope. For this reason, all tests are coordinated with a cardiologist who understands the particular details of your child's situation.

Are there special instructions we should follow prior to arriving for our appointment?

Your child should report for the tilt test with an empty stomach having fasted for at least 8 hours. The tests are generally scheduled for the morning to allow your child to fast from the time they go to sleep until the test is completed.

When will I receive test results?

The physicians who perform the tilt test will review the results with you and your primary cardiologist. If the test does not cause an episode of syncope, and/or the EKG and blood pressure recordings do not detect an abnormality, then additional tests or procedures may be scheduled to gather further diagnostic information.