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Syncope

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MGH Cardiology Board Review

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Abstract

The word “syncope” is derived from the Greek syn, meaning “with” and koptein meaning “to cut off/interrupt”. The use of the word syncope to describe the abrupt “cutting off” of consciousness has been in place for hundreds of years. No matter what term patients use: syncope, fainting, drop attacks, or spells is used, the concept transient loss of consciousness followed by spontaneous recovery has been, is and always will be a common issue for cardiologists to diagnose and manage. Many causes of syncope are outside the scope of cardiology. Due to the inherent life-threatening nature of many cardiac causes of syncope, it is important for the cardiologist to be well versed on the topic.

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Abbreviations

ACE-I:

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor

ARVC:

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

AS:

Aortic stenosis

AV:

Atrioventricular

BB:

Beta blocker

BP:

Blood pressure

bpm:

Beats per minute

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

CCB:

Calcium channel blocker

CEA:

Carotid endarterectomy

CHF:

Congestive Heart Failure

CSM:

Carotid Sinus Massage

CT:

Computed Tomography

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

EEG:

Electroencephalogram

EF:

Ejection Fraction

HOCM:

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

HR:

Heart rate

ICD:

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator

LOC:

Loss of consciousness

MI:

Myocardial infarction

MRI:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MS:

Mitral stenosis

NMS:

Neurally mediated syncope

NSVT:

Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia

PCM:

Physical counter-pressure maneuvers

PE:

Pulmonary embolus

POTS:

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

PS:

Pulmonic stenosis

PVR:

Peripheral vascular resistance

RV:

Right ventricle

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

SCD:

Sudden cardiac death

SHD:

Structural heart disease

SSS:

Sick sinus syndrome

SVT:

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia

TIA:

Transient Ischemic Attack

VF:

Ventricular fibrillation

VT:

Ventricular tachycardia

WPW:

Wolff-Parkinson-White

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jodi L. Zilinski MD (Clinical and Research Fellow)

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Stephan B. Danik MD (Instructor in Medicine)

  3. Experimental Electrophysiology Laboratory, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Stephan B. Danik MD (Director)

Authors
  1. Jodi L. Zilinski MD
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  2. Stephan B. Danik MD
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  3. Stephan B. Danik MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Division Yawkey Building 5B, Room 5850, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Hanna K. Gaggin

  2. Cardiology Division Yawkey Building, Suite 5984, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    James L. Januzzi, Jr.

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

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Zilinski, J.L., Danik, S.B., Danik, S.B. (2014). Syncope. In: Gaggin, H., Januzzi, Jr., J. (eds) MGH Cardiology Board Review. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4483-0_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4483-0_26

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4482-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4483-0

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