Overview of physiology and pathophysiology of syncope Flashcards
General explanation of syncope?
Specific form of a transient loss of consciousness
3 types of syncope?
Reflex
Orthostatic hypotension
Cardiac
Sub types of reflex syncope?
Vasovagal (VVS)
Carotid sinus (CCS)
Situational
Transient Loss of Consciousness (TLOC) definition?
A state of real or apparent loss of consciousness with loss of awareness, characterized by amnesia for the period of unconsciousness, loss of motor control, loss of responsiveness and a short duration.
What conditions can cause TLOC?
Head trauma Syncope Epileptic seizures TLOC mimics (psychogenic, pseudo syncope) Other causes
Definition of syncope?
Transient loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion, characterized by rapid onset, short duration and spontaneous complete recovery
Reflex syncope?
All types of syncope in which neural reflexes modify HR and/or vascular tone (vasodepression) hence predisposing to a fall in MAP (sysetmic hypotension) of sufficient severity to affect cerebral perfusion causing a transient period of cerebral hypoperfusion resulting syncope or near syncope
Reflex syncope is uncommon. True or false?
False. It is common
Events that occur in reflex syncope?
When reflex is activated
this causes cardioinhibition through vagal stimulation
causing decreased HR and CO
AND/OR
Vasodepression through depression of sympathetic activity to blood vessels
Decreasing systemic vascular resistance (vasodilation), venous return, stroke volume and CO
This decreases in everything causes decrease in MAP
=
Cerebral hypoperfusion and syncope/ near syncope
Most common type of syncope?
Vasovagal
What causes vasovagal syncope?
Faint is caused by emotional stress or orthostatic stress
What symptoms occur in vasovagal syncope?
Palor
Sweating
Nausea
How can vasovagal syncope be averted?
Lying down )adopting horizontal gravity neutralisation)
Leg crossing
Both of these increase venous return
Main risk of Vasovagal syncope?
Injury when falling
VVS is not associated with increased mortality. True or false?
True