Syncope resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Karol Gema Hernandez, M.D. [2]
Definition
This section provides a short and straight to the point definition of the disease or symptom in one sentence.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
Management
Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the approach to [[Syncope]].
Determine if there was loss of consciousness (LOC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If yes: ❑ Rapid onset? ❑ Short duration? ❑ Spontaneous complete recovery? | If no: ❑ Cataplexy ❑ Drop attacks ❑ Falls ❑ Functional /psychogenic pseudosyncope ❑ TIA of carotid origin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If no to one or more of this questions; exclude the following before proceeding with syncope evaluation: ❑ Coma ❑ Intoxication ❑ Aborted SCD ❑ Epilepsy ❑ Metabolic disorders: ♦ Hypoglycemia ♦ Hypoxia ♦ Hyperventilation with hypocapnia ❑ Vertebrobasilar TIA | If yes: ❑ Transient LOC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||