Approach to the Patient: Syncope

The cause may be apparent only at the time of the event, leaving few, if any, clues when the pt is seen by the physician. Other disorders must be distinguished from syncope, including seizures, vertebrobasilar ischemia, hypoxemia, and hypoglycemia (see below). First consider serious underlying etiologies; among these are massive internal hemorrhage, myocardial infarction (can be painless), and cardiac arrhythmias. In elderly pts, a sudden faint without obvious cause should raise the question of complete heart block or a tachyarrhythmia. Loss of consciousness in particular situations, such as during venipuncture or micturition, suggests a benign abnormality of vascular tone. The position of the pt at the time of the syncopal episode is important; syncope in the supine position is unlikely to be vasovagal and suggests arrhythmia or seizure. Medications must be considered, including nonprescription drugs or health store supplements, with particular attention to recent changes. Symptoms of impotence, bowel and bladder difficulties, disturbed sweating, or an abnormal neurologic examination suggest a primary neurogenic cause. An algorithmic approach is presented in Fig. 50-1.