Tag Archives: transient loss of consciousness

Introduction Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness (TLoC) secondary to cerebral hypoperfusion, associated with loss of tone and spontaneous recovery.1 It has a lifetime prevalence of 20%,2 and an incidence of 0.80–0.93 per 1,000 person-years, which occurs in a roughly bimodal pattern, with an initial peak in early adulthood followed by a further more pronounced peak in older age.3 Syncope is merely one form of TLoC. Other causes of TLoC include seizures, sleep disturbance, accidental falls and some psychiatric disorders. Syncope itself can be grouped into four major categories: reflex syncope (vasovagal and situational), o

Introduction The aim of this study was to introduce a syncope pathway to the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust (IHT), a busy district general hospital (DGH) and to emphasise the need for a syncope unit. We analysed the care of 500 patients treated for a syncopal event, our hypothesis being that the management of syncope within the trust was not up to the standards laid out in current guidelines. We also hypothesised that small changes, as well as larger scale organisational ones, would be hugely beneficial to patient care. If management was in line with guidelines, then we endeavoured to introduce a ‘Syncope Unit’ based on the European Heart Rhy

(more…)

(more…)

The new guideline, which covers the management of heart failure in adults in primary and secondary care, contains new and updated recommendations on diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, monitoring and rehabilitation. Key priorities for implementation in the guidance include: Referring patients with suspected heart failure and previous myocardial infarction (MI) to transthoracic Doppler 2D echocardiography and specialist assessment within two weeks. Measuring serum natriuretic peptides in patients with suspected heart failure without previous MI; referring those with very high levels of serum natriuretic peptides to urgent transthoracic Dopp