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Previous Volume 343:1856-1862 December 21, 2000 Number 25 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Syncope is a sudden and brief loss of consciousness associated with a loss of postural tone, from which recovery is spontaneous. The pathophysiology of all forms of syncope consists of a sudden decrease in or brief cessation of cerebral blood flow. Syncope is common, disabling, and possibly associated with a risk of sudden death, but its causes are difficult to diagnose.^1,2,3 Consequently, syncope often leads to hospital admission, multiple consultations, and the performance of many diagnostic tests.⁴ This article provides an approach to the evaluation of syncope.

Is It Syncope?

The first important issue is distinguishing syncope from several other symptoms. Dizziness, presyncope, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Differential Diagnosis

The Importance of Heart Disease

Diagnosing the Cause of Syncope

Initial Assessment Leading to a Diagnosis

Initial Assessment Suggesting a Diagnosis

Unexplained Syncope

            Patients with Structural Heart Disease or Electrocardiographic Abnormalities

            Patients with Normal Findings on Electrocardiography and No Heart Disease

            Reassessment

Diagnostic Tests

Initial Assessment and Base-Line Laboratory Tests

Evaluation for Underlying Heart Disease

Testing for Arrhythmias

            Ambulatory Monitoring

            Continuous-Loop Event Monitoring

Electrophysiologic Studies

Evaluation for Neurally Mediated Syncope

Neurologic Testing

Psychiatric Evaluation

Hospitalization

Treatment

Source Information

From the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh.

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

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