Syncope: Evaluation and management

Abstract

Syncope is a sudden transient loss of consciousness and postural tone with spontaneous recovery. Loss of consciousness results from a reduction of blood flow to the reticular activating system located in the brain stem. Syncope is an important clinical problem which accounts for 1% of hospital admissions and 3% of emergency department visits with a reported mortality and major morbidity rate of over 7% [1]. It is often disabling, may cause injury and may be the only warning sign before sudden cardiac death. The prognosis of patients with syncope varies greatly with the underlying etiology.

Libyan Journal of Medicine Vol. 3 (3) 2008: pp. 44-49