Syncope Flashcards
Syncope
fainting or brief loss of consciousness
has to be temporary otherwise it’s just altered mental statues
Signs and Symptoms
feeling dizzy
tunnel vision
loss of event memory
Causes of syncope
Cardiac
Neurology
Pulmonary
Genitourinary: GU
Gastrointestinal: GI
Reflex mediated
Cardiac syncope causes
Arrhythmia
-Ventricular fibrillation: lower chambers contract very rapidly in irregular manner
-Ventricular tachycardia: rapid heartbeat in lower chambers
-Atrial fibrillation: heartbeat in irregular manner in the upper chambers
-Supraventricular tachycardia: rapid heartbeat in the atria
-Atrioventricular block - slowed heart rate bc of malfunction in the heart’s electrical system
Types of ventricular tachycardia
-brigade, WPW, long QT
massive heart attack valve (aortic stenosis/Valve dz, CHF,CM,aortic dissection,AMI, AAA, PE)
Neurology syncope causes
most common: strokes (intracranial hemorrhage)
(SAH, TIA, seizure, ICH, overdose/medication)
Pulmonary syncope causes
Pulmonary embolism
hypotension
Genitourinary syncope causes
ruptured ectopic hemorrhage
Gastrointestinal syncope causes
GI bleed: loss of blood/fluid
Reflex syncope causes
Vasovagal
Orthostatic hypotension
Carotid sinus syndrome
Vasovagal syncope
overdrive of vagus nerve stimulation=
-vasodilation –> create drop of blood pressure
-bradycardia –> low heartbeat causing low cerebral blood flow
Signs and symptoms of vasovagal syncope
warm, nausea, lightheadedness, slow onset
Triggers to vasovagal syncope
noxious stimuli, overheating, crowded place, emotional distress, instrumentation
info taking for syncope
history + physical
EKG
females get pregnancy test
anything else you’re considered about
What to look for on EKG & document
overall
-arrhythmia
-ischemia/pulmonary embolism
specifics
-long QT: long QT syndrome, toxicity, electrolytes
-delta wave: WPW
-hypertrophy: inappropriate hypertrophy
-brugada pattern
