A contemporary review of the head-up tilt test: Utility and limitations

Abstract

The Head-Up Tilt Test (HUTT) has been widely used for the past four decades as part of the overall assessment of the potential causes of collapse in patients with recurring transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) of unknown cause. The ability of a positive HUTT often to reproduce patient symptoms and illustrate to the patient that the physician is confident of the diagnosis have been major advances in clinical TLOC management. Tilt testing has been particularly important in understanding and diagnosing vasovagal syncope (VVS) and orthostatic hypotension.

Despite HUTT having great clinical utility, different HUTT protocols and drug provocations result in different test yields. Limited HUTT reproducibility has led some researchers to criticize HUTT utility. As in most medical tests, limitations are part of the test.

Herein, we provide a contemporary review of HUTT's utility in diagnosing and managing various TLOC disorders with intent to clarify its role in clinical practice.