Workup and management of patients with syncope

Syncope accounts for approximately 1% to 6% of hospital admissions and 3% of emergency room visits. Syncope is defined as a sudden transient loss of consciousness associated with a loss of postural tone with spontaneous recovery. Patients should not require electrical or chemical cardioversion to regain consciousness. Syncope must be clinically differentiated from other states of altered consciousness, such as dizziness, vertigo, seizures, coma, and nacrolepsy.