Initial Clinical Evaluation

Paolo Alboni; Paola Coppola; Nicola Stucci

doi:10.1016/j.ccl.2015.04.002

Initial Clinical Evaluation

Cardiol Clin. 2015 Aug;33(3):347-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2015.04.002.

Authors

Paolo Alboni¹, Paola Coppola², Nicola Stucci²

Affiliations

¹ Syncope Unit, Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ospedale Privato Quisisana, Viale Cavour 128, Ferrara 44121, Italy. Electronic address: alboni.cardiologia@gmail.com.
² Syncope Unit, Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ospedale Privato Quisisana, Viale Cavour 128, Ferrara 44121, Italy.

PMID: 26115820
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccl.2015.04.002

Abstract

The initial evaluation of patients with transient loss of consciousness (LOC) comprises a detailed medical history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram. Because there are many causes of syncopal and nonsyncopal LOC, an adequate method of taking the clinical history, which is the cornerstone of diagnosing patients with transient LOC, should be used.

Keywords: Cataplexy; Epilepsy; Fall; Psychogenic pseudosyncope; Syncope; Transient ischemic attack.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Electrocardiography
Humans
Syncope / complications*
Syncope / diagnosis
Unconsciousness / diagnosis
Unconsciousness / etiology*