Via practica 6/2006

Differential Diagnosis of Syncope

Syncope is sudden, transient loss of consciousness accompanied by loss of postural tone due to cerebral hypoperfusion. Initial evaluation of the syncopal patient is based on history, physical evaluation and 12 lead electrocardiogram. The aim of initial evaluation is to distinguish non- syncopal loss of consciousness and to estabilish the etiology of syncope, if typical clinical features are present. Further evaluation consist of the selective use of diagnostic methods depending on the presence or absence of organic heart disease and presumed etiology. Importance of clinical history in the differentiation from epilepsy and in etiological diagnosis of syncope is emphasized in the article.

Keywords: syncope, diagnosis, electrophysiological study, head-up tilt test, loop recorder.