| Syncope. Identifying cardiac causes in older patients. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12756678 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone, with spontaneous recovery, and may represent an episode of aborted cardiac arrest. The final common pathway for loss of consciousness from non-neurologic causes is hypoperfusion of the reticular activating system. The etiology of syncope in older patients frequently includes a myriad of causes (e.g., orthostatic hypotension, medication side effects, sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block, carotid hypersensitivity, ventricular tachycardia, and aortic stenosis). Initial evaluation must include a detailed history, complete physical examination, and 12-lead ECG, which provides a framework as to the probable cause of syncope in approximately 40% of patients. Echocardiography, electrophysiology testing, and head-upright tilt table testing will confirm the diagnosis in most of the remainder. Approximately 25% of patients will have no identifiable cause of syncope, but have a better prognosis than patients with a confirmed cardiac cause of syncope. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause. |
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Authors:
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Behzad B Pavri; Reginald T Ho |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Geriatrics Volume: 58 ISSN: 0016-867X ISO Abbreviation: Geriatrics Publication Date: 2003 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-05-21 Completed Date: 2003-06-10 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 2985102R Medline TA: Geriatrics Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 26-31; quiz 32 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Aged Algorithms Cardiovascular Diseases / complications, diagnosis* Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular* Geriatric Assessment Humans Medical History Taking Syncope / etiology*, therapy United States |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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