Drugs and pacemakers for vasovagal, carotid sinus and situational syncope.

Background: Neurally mediated reflex syncope is the most common cause of transient loss of consciousness. In patients not responding to non-pharmacological treatment, pharmacological or pacemaker treatment might be considered.

Objectives: To examine the effects of pharmacological therapy and pacemaker implantation in patients with vasovagal syncope, carotid sinus syncope and situational syncope.

Value of history-taking in syncope patients: in whom to suspect long QT syndrome?

Aims: Long QT syndrome (LQTS), a potentially fatal disorder, has to be distinguished from non-fatal conditions. Our aim was to investigate whether history-taking can be used in identifying patients likely to have LQTS.

Methods And Results: We compared the characteristics of a group of LQTS patients with syncope patients presenting at the emergency department (ED) and vasovagal patients younger than 40 years of age.

High diagnostic yield and accuracy of history, physical examination, and ECG in patients with transient loss of consciousness in FAST: the Fainting Assessment study.

Background: Transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is a common clinical problem.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the yield and accuracy of the initial evaluation, consisting of standardized history, physical examination, and ECG performed by attending physicians in patients with TLOC.

Methods And Results: Five hundred and three adult patients (mean age 53 +/- 19; 56% male) presenting with TLOC to the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam between February 2000 and May 2002 were included in this study.

Quality of life within one year following presentation after transient loss of consciousness.

The purpose of this study was to examine (1) changes in quality of life (QoL) within 1 year after presentation with transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) and (2) which factors are predictive of these changes. This study was part of the Fainting Assessment Study (FAST), which assessed diagnostic strategies in patients with TLOC. Adult patients presenting to Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with TLOC were included in the study.

Clinical factors associated with quality of life in patients with transient loss of consciousness.

Introduction: Transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is common and can be lethal. Although the patients with the most prevalent causes of TLOC have a benign prognosis, morbidity is considerable. Aim of this article, therefore, was to compare the generic quality of life (QoL) of patients presenting with TLOC with that of the general population, to compare the disease-specific QoL with that of an American referral sample, and to examine which sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with QoL in these patients.

Nonpharmacological treatment of reflex syncope.

Reflex syncope is a common medical problem. Vasovagal reflex syncope is the most frequent form. Although the prognosis of the disorder is excellent, it may impose substantial changes in life style and cause profound psychological distress.