Syncope: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis

• Published in: American family physician Vol. 95; no. 5; pp. 303 - 312C
• Main Authors: Runser, Lloyd A., MD, MPH, Gauer, Robert L., MD, HOUSER, Alex, DO
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Academy of Family Physicians 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Aortic dissection; Asymptomatic; Blood pressure; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular disease; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Consciousness; Diagnosis, Differential; Education, Medical, Continuing; Electrocardiography; Etiology; Fainting; Family medical history; Heart attacks; Heart failure; Humans; Hypertension; Internal Medicine; Medical diagnosis; Mortality; Orthostatic hypotension; Pacemakers; Pain; Patients; Physicians; Posture; Syncope - diagnosis; Syncope - therapy; United States > US

Syncope is an abrupt and transient loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. It accounts for 1% to 1.5% of emergency department visits, resulting in high hospital admission rates and significant medical costs. Syncope is classified as neurally mediated, cardiac, and orthostatic hypoten...