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Approach to the patient with syncope: venues, presentations, diagnoses
David G Benditt1, Wayne O Adkisson
1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Cardiac Arrhythmia and Syncope Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. bendi001@umn.edu
Cardiology Clinics
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Syncope, or fainting, is a common emergency visit reason. A thorough medical history and examination are crucial for accurate diagnosis and preventing future fainting episodes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Syncope is a frequent reason for emergency department and urgent-care visits.
- Accurate diagnosis and recurrence prevention are essential for patient management.
- An organized approach aids in assessing patients presenting with syncope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline an organized approach for evaluating patients with syncope.
- To emphasize the importance of initial patient evaluation, especially medical history.
- To guide the selection of diagnostic tests based on clinical suspicion.
Main Methods:
- Detailed medical history taking.
- Careful initial physical examination.
- Utilizing specialized syncope evaluation units and structured questionnaires.
Main Results:
- The initial patient evaluation, particularly a detailed medical history, is key to diagnosis.
- Structured questionnaires and specialized units aid in data collection.
- Diagnostic tests are chosen to confirm suspicions raised by the initial assessment.
Conclusions:
- A systematic approach to syncope evaluation is necessary.
- The patient's medical history is paramount in diagnosing the cause of syncope.
- Appropriate diagnostic testing should follow a confident initial clinical assessment.
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