SYNCOPE-CAUSES

SUMMARY

LOC resulting from cerebral anoxia. Causes:
1. Vasovagal: triggerred by intense emotion, heat/alcohol exposure, prolonged standing.

2. Orthostatic: autonomic dysfunction with no increase in HR or BP on standing. Mgm: midodrine (alpha-agonist), fludrocortisone (minerelocorticoid).

3. Cardiac arrhythmia: bradycardia, SVT, VT.

4. Situational syncope: triggered by coughing, micturition, defecation. These trigger reflex vasodilatation & bradycardia.

5. Seizure activity

6. Metabolic cause: hypoglycemia.

7. LV obstruction: ischaemia, HCM, PE.

8. Medications: cardiac, anti-Parkinson's medications, antidepressants, neurologic.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].