[Practical implementation and usefulness of guidelines for the management of syncope: a professional practice study].

Aims: To assess the practical implementation of international guidelines and their impact on syncope management in a 500-bed general hospital.

Patients And Methods: Three groups of 63 consecutive patients admitted for syncope to the emergency care unit (ECU) were studied: group 1, before the guidelines delivered to the practitioners, group 2 immediately after the diffusion of guidelines and group 3, one year later. The study evaluates the mean duration of stay (MDS) and the relevance of the diagnostic strategy.