Via practica 3/2010

Cardiac syncope

In contrast to reflex syncope, the prognosis of patient with co-existing organic heart disease is unfavourable. One year mortality in patients with syncope and organic heart disease is 20-30 %. In 70% of sudden cardiac death cases, at least one episode of syncope can be documented in the patient’s history. Syncope in patient with organic heart disease is sign of adverse prognosis and requires correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Besides clinical evaluation, principal diagnostic methods are echocardiography, invasive electrophysiological study and implantation of the loop recorder. Treatment is based on underlying etiology. Implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator is indicated in the prevention of sudden cardiac death resulting from of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Keywords: syncope, electrophysiological study, implantable loop recorder, ventricular tachycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillator