PMID: 12756875May 22, 2003Paper

Initial diagnostic strategy in the case of transient losses of consciousness: the importance of the medical history

Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
Wouter WielingJ Gert van Dijk

Abstract

It is estimated that almost half of the people experience a transient loss of consciousness at some time during their life. In young patients (< 35 years) the cause is mostly a reflex syncope. In older patients the common causes are orthostatic and postprandial hypotension, sinus caroticus syndrome, cardiac arrhythmias and valvular disorders. The medical history can identify a probable cause of the transient loss of consciousness in almost all young patients (< 35 years) and in the majority of older patients. A physical examination and an ECG should be performed in all patients who have experienced a transient loss of consciousness, other than those with classical vasovagal syncope, in order to exclude orthostatic hypotension and dangerous cardiac causes.

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