Sleep apnea is a common disorder associated with obesity and related health problems. Although treatment of sleep apnea may relieve some autonomic symptoms, it is currently unknown whether treatment of sleep apnea is specifically associated with the resolution of orthostatism and syncope. Herein we describe a 73-year-old man who had recurrent episodes of syncope. An extensive work-up, including...

A previously healthy 4-year-old boy was admitted to hospital for two brief episodes of loss of consciousness. In addition, we note symptoms suggesting a respiratory infection. There was no anemia and no electrolyte imbalance. The child had no neurological symptoms, emergency cerebral CT and EEG were normal. There was however an inappropriate degree of tachycardia, muffled heart sounds and the E...

BACKGROUND The cause of syncope remains unknown in 24% to 37% of cases even after standard diagnostic tests. Measuring blood volume may elucidate the mechanisms of syncope in the individual patient and prove helpful in determining optimal therapy. This report includes the largest set of blood volume measurements performed in syncope patients to date. METHODS We performed radioisotopic blood v...

referred urgently to general hospitals. Europace 2003;5:283–291. 9. Brignole M, Menozzi C, Bartoletti A, Giada F, Lagi A, Ungar A, Ponassi I, Mussi C, Maggi R, Re G, Furlan R, Rovelli G, Ponzi P, Scivales A. A new management of syncope: prospective systematic guideline-based evaluation of patients referred urgently to general hospitals. Eur Heart J 2006;27:76–82. 10. Linzer M, Yang EH, Estes NA...

BACKGROUND Pediatric syncope is common. Cardiac causes are rarely found. We describe and assess a pragmatic approach to these patients first seen by a pediatric cardiologist in the New England region, using Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plans (SCAMPs). METHODS AND RESULTS Ambulatory patients aged 7 to 21 years initially seen for syncope at participating New England Congenita...

The sinus of Valsalva presents the initial segment aorta from where coronary vessels arise. Sinus aneurysms (SOVAs) present as progressive dilatation aortic sinus. SOVA arises both congenital and acquired weakness elastic lamina media. Though most SOVAs are asymptomatic diagnosed on screening for other pathologies, patients can with symptoms arrhythmia, insufficiency, aorto-cardiac fistulas, an...

BACKGROUND The report from the 2nd Consensus Committee on BrS suggests that all patients with syncope without a "clear extracardiac cause" should have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). However, a clear extracardiac cause for syncope may be difficult to prove. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to characterize syncope in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS). METHODS All p...

Background—The efficacy of cardiac pacing for prevention of syncopal recurrences in patients with neurally mediated syncope is controversial. We wanted to determine whether pacing therapy reduces syncopal recurrences in patients with severe asystolic neurally mediated syncope. Methods and Results—Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in 29 centers in the Third Internationa...

BACKGROUND The efficacy of cardiac pacing for prevention of syncopal recurrences in patients with neurally mediated syncope is controversial. We wanted to determine whether pacing therapy reduces syncopal recurrences in patients with severe asystolic neurally mediated syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in 29 centers in the Third Internatio...