Syncope: Difference between revisions

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==Clinical features==
==Clinical features==
History taking is the most important feature in syncope evaluation. After that the following clinical features are suggestive of a specific cause of syncope:
History taking is the most important feature in syncope evaluation. Adequate history taking reveals the clinical features associated with a syncopal event that are important to differentiate the different causes of syncope.
 
These clinical features are suggestive for a specific cause of syncope:


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In all patients presenting to a physician with syncope an ECG is recommended to screen for a cardiac cause of syncope. Holter monitoring is indicated only in patients who have very frequent syncopes or presyncope. In-hospital monitoring (in bed or telemetric) is warranted only when the patient has important structural heart disease and is at high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.


When the mechanism of syncope remains unclear after full evaluation, an implantable loop recorder is indicated in patients who have clinical or ECG features suggesting arrhythmic syncope.  
In all patients presenting to a physician with syncope in the hospital an ECG is recommended to screen for a cardiac cause of syncope. Holter monitoring is indicated only in patients who have very frequent syncopes or presyncope. In-hospital monitoring (in bed or telemetric) is warranted only when the patient has important structural heart disease and is at high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. In >60% a certain or highly likely diagnosis is made after initial evaluation (history taking, physical examination and ECG).
 
When the mechanism of syncope remains unclear after full evaluation, including a head-up tilt test and carotis sinus massage, an implantable loop recorder is indicated in patients who have clinical or ECG features suggesting arrhythmic syncope.


==Reflex syncope==
==Reflex syncope==