[Clinical assessment of syncopes]

Syncope is a relatively common clinical problem and causes 1% of hospitalizations. The clinical syndrome is characterized by a sudden reduction of the cerebral flow secondary to a number of conditions that includes benign, self-limited causes and life-threatening arrhythmias. A high percentage of these patients is discharged from hospital without an etiological diagnosis. The purpose of this short review is to present the classification of syncope and suggest the methodological approach to detect the underlying cause. The importance of patient's age and of a cardiovascular etiology as a negative prognostic index is stressed. The most valuable diagnostic tool remains a thoroughly taken clinical history.