Cardiac Syncope

Question 1

What is syncope?

Answer 1

Transient loss of consciousness secondary to lack of cerebral blood flow

Question 2

When does the onset of syncope peak?

Answer 2

Adolescence/early adulthood (vasovagal)

Question 3

What is the most common cause of syncope?

Answer 3

Vasovagal event

Question 4

What prodrome symptoms occur in syncope?

Answer 4

Sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, narrowing of vision

Question 5

What are some can’t miss diagnoses that should be included in your differential for syncope?

Rule of 15’s

Answer 5

PE
Aortic Aneurysm
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
SAH
ACS

Question 6

What should be ordered in females in working up syncope?

Answer 6

Urine pregnancy test

Question 7

What is the most important test to order in working up syncope?

Answer 7

Electrocardiogram

Question 8

What findings maybe on ECG in the setting of syncopal episodes?

Answer 8

Tachycardia
Bradycardia
Long QT
Wolf-Parkinson’s White
Brugada

Question 9

What should be included in the work-up of a syncopal episode?

Answer 9

ECG
Urine Pregnancy Test
Blood glucose
CBC
CMP
TSH
Troponin
D-dimer
BNP
CXR