Suspension Syndrome

Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine

Status: Completed

Conditions: Syncope, Vasovagal, Neurally-Mediated; Circulatory Collapse; Circulatory Failure; Orthostatic Hypotension

Treatments: Other: Climbing; Other: Suspension in a harness

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02726776

A.10

Details and patient eligibility

About

Suspension syndrome refers to a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in unconscious persons after prolonged suspension in a harness. To date, our understanding of the pathophysiology and appropriate treatment is based primarily on case reports and expert opinion. The main pathophysiological hypothesis implicates blood pooling in the lower extremity and lack of return via muscle pumping. However, a recent French study could not support this hypothesis. Other mechanisms, such as a central vagal reflex may play a role in the pathophysiology of suspension syndrome. The aim of this study is to better understand the pathophysiological basis of suspension syndrome and to develop practical recommendations for prevention and treatment.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy volunteers
• Age 18-50 years
• ASA class 1
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 or >50 years
• ASA class >1
• Informed consent not signed

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Suspension without prior climbing

Experimental group

Description:

Free Suspension in a harness after baseline measurements and without prior climbing

Treatment:

Other: Suspension in a harness

Suspension with prior climbing

Experimental group

Description:

Free Suspension in a harness after baseline measurements and after climbing in moderate intensity for 10 minutes

Treatment:

Other: Suspension in a harness

Other: Climbing