Impedance cardiography: a role in vasovagal syncope diagnosis?

Background: vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope in all age groups, with diagnosis usually based on history, examination and basic investigations to exclude alternative causes of syncope. Where doubt exists, the head-up tilt (HUT) test is used for diagnosis but is time consuming and lacks a gold standard to accurately assess sensitivity and specificity. Alternative methods of diagnosing vasovagal syncope would thus be useful.

Amnesia for loss of consciousness in carotid sinus syndrome: implications for presentation with falls.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with carotid sinus syndrome who presented with falls with those who presented with syncope.

Background: Carotid sinus syndrome presents with both falls and syncope. The reasons for this differential presentation are unknown, but amnesia for loss of consciousness may be the underlying cause.