What is included in a syncope workup?

At the minimum ECG is needed in all patients presenting with syncope. If cardiovascular etiology suspected, further workup includes cardiac enzymes, continuous cardiac monitoring, and echocardiogram.

What tests are done for syncope?

How is syncope diagnosed?

  • Laboratory testing: Blood work to check for anemia or metabolic changes.
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A test that records the electrical activity of your heart.
  • Exercise stress test: A test that uses an ECG to record your heart’s electrical activity while you are active.

What are differential diagnosis for syncope?

The differential diagnosis for syncope is best remembered by considering the 3 most common causes of syncope: reflex mediated syncope, cardiac syncope, and orthostatic hypotension (Figure 31-1).

What is the initial treatment for syncope?

Cardiac pacing, implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators, and catheter ablation are the usual treatments of syncope caused by cardiac arrhythmias, depending on the mechanism of syncope.

What are the causes of syncope?

Syncope is a symptom that can be due to several causes, ranging from benign to life-threatening conditions. Many non life-threatening factors, such as overheating, dehydration, heavy sweating, exhaustion or the pooling of blood in the legs due to sudden changes in body position, can trigger syncope.

Can ECG detect syncope?

An ECG (electrocardiogram) also is recommended as part of an initial evaluation to provide information about the cause of syncope. ECG is widely available and inexpensive and can provide information about the potential and specific cause of syncope (for example, abnormal heart rhythms).

What is the main cause of syncope?

Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain. It’s also called fainting or “passing out.” It most often occurs when blood pressure is too low (hypotension) and the heart doesn’t pump enough oxygen to the brain.

How can you tell the difference between a syncope and a seizure?

Differentiating syncope from seizures can be difficult at times. This study concludes that fewer than 10 jerks suggests syncope, while more than 20 suggests a convulsive seizure: the 10/20 rule. Loss of tone favors syncope.

Is syncope a diagnosis or symptom?

A major issue in the use of diagnostic tests is that syncope is a transient symptom and not a disease. Typically patients are asymptomatic at the time of evaluation and the opportunity to capture a spontaneous event during diagnostic testing is rare.

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