Melatonin Involvement in Syncope Associated with Sleep Disturbance: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Syncope or fainting associated with sleep disturbance is mostly diagnosed as vasovagal syncope and has also been linked to orthostatic or postural hypotension. The physiological basis of syncope associated with sleep disturbance is not fully elucidated. In this report a rare case of melatonin involvement in syncope associated with sleep disturbance was presented. Case Presentation: A case of a 21-year-old female with syncope associated with sleep disturbance was examined with 1 hour post syncope melatonin concentration of 33pg/ml (daytime evaluation) which is on the increase when compared to its female referenced average value (10pg/ml daytime evaluation). Some vital physiological variables associated with syncope like heart rate, blood pressure, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were normal compared to referenced value (Table 1 and Table 2). Conclusion: Considering the evaluations presented, it is suggested that melatonin could be involved in the sleep disturbance induced syncope and this report has created de novo insight that will aid elucidation, diagnosis and intervention of syncope induced by sleep disturbance or obstruction.