carotid sinus massage
Last reviewed 01/2018
- test for carotid sinus hypersensitivity syndrome
- with the patient's neck slightly extended, one of the carotid sinuses is massaged (not compressed). During this procedure the ipsilateral temporal artery should be palpated in order to make sure that the carotid artery is not being obliterated.
- massage of the carotid sinus lasts only about 5 seconds.
- a sinus pause of 3 seconds or more indicates a positive test.