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Syncope pp 3–13Cite as

Syncope: Definition, Terminology, and Classification

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Abstract

Syncope is a symptom in which transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) occurs as a consequence of a self-limited, relatively brief, and spontaneously self-terminating period of inadequate cerebral nutrient delivery.1 The possible causes of syncope are numerous, but a transient fall of systemic arterial pressure to a level below the minimum needed to sustain cerebral blood flow (i.e., the lower end of the cerebrovascular “autoregulatory” range) is by far the most common. Other causes, such as acute hypoxemia, are possible, but rare.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Centro Aritmologico, Ospedali del Tigullio, Via Bobbio 24, 16033, Lavagna, Italy

    Dr. Michele Brignole

  2. Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, 55455, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Dr. David G. Benditt

Authors
  1. Dr. Michele Brignole
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  2. Dr. David G. Benditt
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Correspondence to Michele Brignole .

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Brignole, M., Benditt, D.G. (2011). Syncope: Definition, Terminology, and Classification. In: Syncope. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-201-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-201-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-200-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-201-8

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