Syncope Flashcards
Which is more likely to have a prodrome, vasovagal or cardiac syncope?
Vasovagal
When do should you be more concerned, a completely new syncope or a syncope on the background of many years of previous syncopes?
New syncopes
What is diaphoresis? What type of syncope might have it?
Profuse sweating
Vasovagal
What does a prolonged QT reflect?
A prolonged relative refractory period
What conditions predispose someone to exertion related syncope?
Aortic stenosis
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiaomyopathy
What arrhythmias are at risk of occurring in a patient with a prolonged QT interval?
VF and VT
What is the relative refractory period?
Period during diastole (and ventricular repolarisation) in which a abnormal stimuli could initiate an abnormal ventricular contraction
What would do in the case of a patient with syncope and dyspnoea?
Investigate the dyspnoea as a cause of the syncope
Why isn’t a fall syncope?
No loss of consciousness
Why might urinating precipitate a syncope?
Straining > valsalva > increase intraabodominal and intrathoracic pressure > reduced venous return > reduced CO > syncope
What does a delta wave reflect?
Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome
Define syncope
Abrupt and transient loss of consciousness
Loss of postural tone
Complete and rapid recovery
Benign and self limited
What are some differentials for the cause of a syncope?
Vasovagal syncope
Cardiac syncope - AS, HOCM, WPW
Seizure
Fall
TIA/Stroke
PE
