The sick-sinus syndrome in Africans

Fifteen cases of the sick-sinus syndrome in young Negroes are presented. The etiology was unknown in all cases; organic heart disease was absent. The very high default rate suggests that the prognosis may be grave. This disorder is by no means uncommon in young persons in tropical countries and the dangers of a mistaken diagnosis of epilepsy or a psychiatric illness have been emphasized. In the absence of an artificial pacemaker, it is suggested that sympathomimetic drugs, while not affecting the heart rate, may be useful in reducing the frequency of syncopal attacks.