Causes of syncope

Cardiac syncope:

• The patients with cardiomyopathies, congestive hart failure and valvular insuffiency and medications that reduce afterload

• Ventricular arrhythmias: ventricular tachycardia, & torsade de pointes; in older patients with known cardiac disease.

• Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation

• Bradyarrhythmias: sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia, high-grade atrioventricular blocks, and pacemaker malfunction.

• Cardiac outflow obstruction: Sudden-onset syncope with little or no prodrome. e. g. cardiac murmur (Young athletes)

• Acute MI or an aortic dissection.

Noncardiac syncope:

• Vasovagal syncope: standing position & precipitated by fear, emotional stress, or pain

• Orthostatic syncope: Dehydration and decreased intravascular volume

• Neurologic syncope: preexisting bilateral vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Circulation is obstructed briefly from the reticular activation system in the brain stem, resulting in loss of consciousness
  

Category: Medicine Notes