Vasovagal and Syncope Flashcards
What is syncope?
sudden, transient loss of consciousness that resolves spontaneously due to hypoperfusion of the brain
What is vasovagal?
most common type of syncope
What are the different mechanisms of syncope?
- reflex
- cardiac
- orthostatic
- cerebrovascular
What is reflex syncope?
think needlephobia (vasovagal)
What is cardiac syncope?
due to reduced CO (mostly arrhythmia can be structural heart defect )
What is orthostatic syncope?
blackout when standing up
What is cerebrovascular syncope?
obstruction to neural blood flow (rare)
What must you ask about syncope?
- Carry out LOC history to establish before, during, after
2. Ask about red flags (known heart defects, occurred during exertion)
What Ix are done and why?
- Bloods – capillary blood glucose, FBC, U&Es
- ECG – check for arrhythmias
?echocardiogram if structural heart defect suspected (AS)
?CT/MRI if epilepsy suspected
What must be done for any LOC?
ECG and glucose
What do you need to ask about before syncope?
did you get any odd feelings before? Any potential causes you can think of? Any recent head trauma?
What do you need to ask about during syncope?
How long were you unconscious for? Did you bite your tongue?
What do you need to ask about after syncope?
Did you recover spontaneously? How long did it take to recover? Were you confused after recovery?
Why is FBC done?
look for anaemia
Why are U+Es done?
rule out dehydration
